Exclusive| Salman Khan hasn't stepped in to play peacemaker in Don 3 row between Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh

COntrary to reports that surfaced on fri claiming worker Salman Khan had stepped in to mediate the on-going father 3 conflict between actor Ranveer Singh and actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, HT City has learnt that no such intervention took place.A source close to the development tells HT City, “The speculations of Salman Khan calling and acting as a mediator are not true. No such intervention has taken place.”Also Read| Ranveer Singh spends time in Budapest amid growing Don 3 row, meets football star Declan RiceRanveer Singh was announced as the lead of Don 3 in 2023 through a stylised teaser. However, the film saw multiple delays in the years that followed. Sources close to the matter maintain that the delays did not originate from Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani.“Ranveer had come on board for the film and Farhan wanted to start it immediately after Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). However, Ranveer had given dates to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Baiju Bawra and had already begun look preparations for the film. Post that, Prasanth Varma’s project gathered momentum and Don 3 was again pushed from the actor’s side,” says the source.The source further claims that Ranveer Singh later informed the production house about his plans to prioritise Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar.“He felt that after a string of non-successful films, this particular project had the potential to elevate his standing with audiences and that his coming on board as Don after that would be better positioning for the franchise.”As per the source, “Once Dhurandhar picked up momentum, Ranveer backed out of Don 3 on December 20, 2025, just three weeks before the film was scheduled to go on floors.” The fallout later escalated into a wider industry issue, with reports of a financial dispute between the actor and Excel Entertainment eventually leading to the involvement of industry bodies.Ranveer Singh is currently all set to start filming for his next, Pralay.Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani reach out to FWICEWhat began as a reported creative disagreement soon escalated into an industry-wide issue. Reports claimed Excel Entertainment sought ₹40-45 crore in damages from Ranveer Singh over alleged pre-production losses, prompting the matter to be taken first to the Producers Guild of India and later to FWICE.FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit said Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani had approached the body, claiming substantial investments had already been made, including overseas recce trips, hotel bookings and arrangements for over 200 crew members. Pandit also alleged that Ranveer had signed a three-film agreement with Excel and had been involved in script discussions as well as the announcement shoot.The controversy later sparked debate within industry bodies, with CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon stating that “banning is a strong word for a hardworking actor” and arguing that the actors’ association should have been consulted before any non-cooperation call was issued.