With Don 3, Jee Le Zaraa in limbo, Farhan Akhtar jokes he’s still trying to direct — where the films stand now

Farhan Akhtar finds himself in an unusual position, as he is the man behind two of Bollywood's most anticipated upcoming films, yet neither is close to production. At a recent Dil Chahta Hai reunion, Saif Ali Khan praised his directorial abilities and encouraged him to direct more films. Both Jee Le Zaraa and Don 3 are currently in a state of limbo.

Jee Le Zaraa, an all-female road trip film unveiled at the 20th anniversary of Dil Chahta Hai, was announced in 2021 with a star-studded cast including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt. Cameras were supposed to roll by 2022, but the project has been stuck, with Farhan periodically attempting to resolve shelving rumors.

The screenplay has reportedly been locked for a long time, but the main obstacle is the unavailable schedules of the three leads. With Don 3 causing delays, Farhan has reportedly shifted his focus back to Jee Le Zaraa, reopening talks with the leads. If schedules align, the film could start production in the second half of 2026.

Don 3, starring Ranveer Singh as the new lead, faced a major setback when he exited the film in December 2025. The reasons for his departure are unclear, with some claiming he wanted to distance himself from another gangster role, while others blame delays and an unfinished script. This has resulted in a costly legal dispute, with Farhan and Excel Entertainment seeking Rs 40-45 crore in damages from Ranveer.

Ranveer's legal team argues that no binding contract existed, only a memorandum of understanding, and that the dispute should be handled in court. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer, while CINTAA backed him. Hrithik Roshan has denied any involvement in Don 3, but the dispute remains unresolved and is now with the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA).