Dhurandhar Shakes Bollywood: Ranveer Out Of Don 3, Akshaye Khanna Exits Drishyam 3
Bollywood’s franchise game has always seemed untouchable. Once a star was confirmed, sequels felt unstoppable. But 2025’s runaway hit Dhurandhar has flipped that perception entirely. Its success has coincided with Ranveer Singh stepping out of Don 3 and Akshaye Khanna leaving Drishyam 3, highlighting just how unpredictable even the most established projects can be in today’s star-driven market.
A Box Office Phenomenon
Dhurandhar has been unstoppable at the box office. The film has surged past Rs 600 crore domestically and is hovering around Rs 875 crore worldwide, outperforming every Indian release of the year. Unlike many recent hits that front-load earnings, Dhurandhar’s weekday collections remain impressively strong, proving its sustained appeal. With Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal and Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan in its sights, Dhurandhar is now a benchmark for success in modern Bollywood.
Ranveer Singh Exits Don 3
Ranveer Singh’s casting as the new Don in 2023 initially generated excitement and controversy. Fans were wary of a reboot of a franchise previously dominated by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, fresh off his intense role in Dhurandhar, Ranveer has chosen to diversify his portfolio, prioritising projects like the zombie thriller Pralay and exploring collaborations with top filmmakers. This leaves Don 3 in a position where it must rebuild its lead cast from scratch, with Kriti Sanon remaining attached.
Akshaye Khanna Leaves Drishyam 3
Meanwhile, Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3 stems from creative and financial negotiations. His acclaimed performance in Dhurandhar elevated his market value, leading him to request a fee hike and changes to his look in the sequel. With producers unwilling to meet these demands, the franchise faces replacing a key player in its ensemble.
The Dhurandhar Effect on Bollywood
These simultaneous exits reflect a seismic shift in industry dynamics. Dhurandhar has handed actors unprecedented leverage, enabling them to reject projects that don’t align with their personal or creative priorities. Star contracts are no longer a formality, and legacy franchises must contend with empowered talent.
A New Era for Sequels and Stars
Dhurandhar is more than a box office success. It has redefined how sequels are cast and how stars negotiate, signalling a new risk and opportunity landscape for Bollywood producers and actors alike.
A Box Office Phenomenon
Dhurandhar has been unstoppable at the box office. The film has surged past Rs 600 crore domestically and is hovering around Rs 875 crore worldwide, outperforming every Indian release of the year. Unlike many recent hits that front-load earnings, Dhurandhar’s weekday collections remain impressively strong, proving its sustained appeal. With Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal and Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan in its sights, Dhurandhar is now a benchmark for success in modern Bollywood.Ranveer Singh Exits Don 3
Ranveer Singh’s casting as the new Don in 2023 initially generated excitement and controversy. Fans were wary of a reboot of a franchise previously dominated by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, fresh off his intense role in Dhurandhar, Ranveer has chosen to diversify his portfolio, prioritising projects like the zombie thriller Pralay and exploring collaborations with top filmmakers. This leaves Don 3 in a position where it must rebuild its lead cast from scratch, with Kriti Sanon remaining attached.You may also like
President Droupadi Murmu releases the Constitution of India in Santhali language- TN steps up surveillance after bird flu outbreak in neighbouring Kerala
- "Delhi High Court order unfortunate, unjustifiable": CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Unnao Rape case verdict
- Indian IPO market hits record highs as Rs 3.8 lakh crore raised in 2 years
- Greek yogurt vs Indian dahi: Understanding the differences, nutrition, benefits, and uses
Akshaye Khanna Leaves Drishyam 3
Meanwhile, Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3 stems from creative and financial negotiations. His acclaimed performance in Dhurandhar elevated his market value, leading him to request a fee hike and changes to his look in the sequel. With producers unwilling to meet these demands, the franchise faces replacing a key player in its ensemble. The Dhurandhar Effect on Bollywood
These simultaneous exits reflect a seismic shift in industry dynamics. Dhurandhar has handed actors unprecedented leverage, enabling them to reject projects that don’t align with their personal or creative priorities. Star contracts are no longer a formality, and legacy franchises must contend with empowered talent.A New Era for Sequels and Stars
Dhurandhar is more than a box office success. It has redefined how sequels are cast and how stars negotiate, signalling a new risk and opportunity landscape for Bollywood producers and actors alike. 
More from our partners
