As the Don franchise prepares for a bold new reboot with Ranveer Singh in the lead, a striking revelation from the past has reignited interest in the series. Actor Alyy Khan, who played Diwan in Don 2 (2011), recently opened up about a creative clash that unfolded between Shah Rukh Khan and Farhan Akhtar on set—a moment that, in hindsight, mirrors the tension around the franchise’s dramatic transition.
According to Alyy Khan in a resurfaced interview, the disagreement occurred during the filming of Don 2 when Shah Rukh Khan questioned the positioning of his character in a particular scene. Frustrated with the direction and staging, SRK allegedly exclaimed: “Abe saale, Don kaun hai?” This remark—both rhetorical and assertive—underscored the actor’s belief in Don’s commanding screen presence. It also highlighted a rare instance of friction between SRK and Akhtar, known for their mutual respect and long-standing collaboration.
Released in 2011, Don 2 was a high-octane sequel to the 2006 remake of the Amitabh Bachchan classic Don. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film starred Shah Rukh Khan as the slick and menacing anti-hero and was praised for its international scale, tight screenplay, and stylish action. Despite the brief on-set tension, the final product resonated with audiences, becoming a commercial success and further cementing SRK’s legacy as the modern Don.
In 2023, Don 3 was announced as a franchise reboot—not a continuation—with Ranveer Singh stepping into the titular role. This move marked a major shift in tone and casting, as Shah Rukh Khan officially stepped away from the character he had redefined for nearly a decade. The reboot, directed by Farhan Akhtar and Pushkar-Gayathri, is slated to begin production in June 2025, with Sharvari Wagh cast as the female lead. Its release is expected to follow in early 2026, pending post-production.
News of the reboot and Alyy Khan’s revelation have reignited fan conversations around Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Don, often cited as one of his most iconic roles, and Farhan Akhtar’s creative direction, praised for revitalizing the franchise. Questions loom over whether Ranveer Singh can carry the legacy or if the reboot dilutes the Don brand. Memes, quotes, and nostalgia-laced videos from Don and Don 2 have flooded social media in response.
Meanwhile, another incident from the set of Don 2 has come to light, revealing how Shah Rukh Khan’s overconfidence led to a costly mishap. Alyy Khan recalled an instance during a car sequence in Berlin, where Shah Rukh broke camera equipment worth Rs 2.5 crore just by missing a mark by a few moments. He explained that during the scene, Priyanka Chopra was supposed to drive to them, and Shah Rukh would deliver his iconic line—“Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi, naamumkin hai”—before speeding off.
Alyy Khan described how Shah Rukh nailed the scene in the first shot. However, during the second shot, things went awry. He told Dawn News: “They decided to attempt the shot again. Priyanka pulled over, exchanged a look with Shah Rukh, he delivered his line, and took off. But this time, a stunt car that was supposed to reverse and brake rammed into them because Shah Rukh missed the mark slightly.”
He elaborated that Shah Rukh’s small delay during the car stunt led to a big accident. “As he turned left, because he was late by a couple of seconds, the other stunt rammed directly into us. Immediately, Shah Rukh looked at me and asked if I was okay. I said I was fine. Everyone gathered around, checking if everything was okay. But there was a loss of €300,000 (Rs 2.5 crore), because the camera equipment had been damaged. Gone in a flash.”
Shah Rukh, being himself, accepted his mistake and called himself ‘overconfident’. In a behind-the-scenes video of the film, he can be seen saying, “Maybe I was overconfident, but I just went wrong, and bam! It was very embarrassing, one of the most embarrassing times I’ve had on a film shoot.”
Don 2 was jointly produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. It was made on a reported budget of Rs 76 crore and became a massive hit at the box office, minting Rs 210.35 crore worldwide. As Don 3 gears up for production, the resurfaced incidents from Don 2 serve as a reminder of the creative intensity and challenges that shaped the franchise.
What was once a heated moment has now become part of Bollywood legend, adding richness to the evolving saga. Whether Ranveer Singh can match the charisma and complexity of SRK’s Don remains to be seen—but the legacy of Don 2 and its behind-the-scenes dynamics will forever be a part of that conversation.
