Vijay Deverakonda Was Approached for Don 3: Here’s What Happened

Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 continues to build intrigue as pre-production moves forward. The third installment of the iconic franchise will feature Ranveer Singh in the titular role, with Kriti Sanon playing the female lead. Reports indicate that the film will begin shooting in January 2026, with the director currently scouting locations in London.

While there’s no official confirmation from the makers, strong buzz began circulating this week suggesting that Vijay Deverakonda had been roped in to play the film’s antagonist, replacing Vikrant Massey. According to reports, the Telugu star was set to face off against Ranveer Singh in the upcoming action thriller.

The idea of Vijay making his Bollywood entry through a negative role in a big-ticket franchise naturally drew attention. Fans were quick to imagine a stylized face-off between Ranveer and Vijay in the slick action world of Don. Additional rumours about Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra returning for cameos only added to the frenzy.

However, Gulte.com has verified with reliable sources that while Vijay Deverakonda was approached for the role, he has politely declined the offer.

The actor, who is currently focused on his upcoming Telugu films, is said to be selective about his Bollywood choices. Though the opportunity to be part of a legacy franchise was tempting, he reportedly felt that the timing and nature of the role didn’t align with his current goals.

With Vijay out of the picture, it remains to be seen who will eventually take on the antagonist’s role. The casting for Don 3 is still underway, and more official updates are expected from the production house in the coming months.