Bollywood’s long-standing belief that major franchises are immune to disruption is being challenged, and the catalyst is Dhurandhar. The blockbuster’s extraordinary box office run has coincided with two unexpected developments—Ranveer Singh stepping away from Don 3 and Akshaye Khanna exiting Drishyam 3—highlighting a shifting power dynamic in the Hindi film industry.
A Box Office Phenomenon
Dhurandhar began with a bang, yet it was eventually its tremendous continuity that made all the difference. The movie has become the largest Indian release of 2025 due to its local revenue of almost ₹600 crore and its global collection of nearly ₹875 crore. Dhurandhar has kept its remarkable weekday figures, and that has put the film next to the likes of today’s box office kings such as Animal, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Ranveer Singh Reconsiders Don 3
Farhan Akhtar’s announcement of Ranveer Singh as the new Don in the franchise, featuring the character, led to a great divide among the people. While some sided with the decision of the filmmakers, others remained loyal to the earlier versions portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, the film production company has now lost its main actor although Excel Entertainment had already marketed the reboot as the “beginning of a new era.”
Ranveer Singh is said to be going through his career choices following the role of Dhurandhar. After playing a merciless bandit, the actor reportedly decided not to take the risk of being associated only with such roles and avoided the Don 3 project. Instead, he has accelerated the zombie survival thriller Pralay, keeping his schedule open for different collaborations. Consequently, Don 3 has been reverted to initial planning, with the casting and artistic direction now in limbo.
Akshaye Khanna Steps Away from Drishyam 3
Akshaye Khanna’s departure from Drishyam 3 seems to have been primarily due to the interplay of negotiations rather than artistic issues. Khanna, who made his first appearance in Drishyam 2 playing the role of IG Tarun Ahlawat, soon turned out to be a major figure in the series. However, his portrayal of Lyari gangster Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar elevated his commercial standing significantly.
Riding on the film’s success, Khanna reportedly sought a substantial fee increase and creative adjustments for Drishyam 3. Negotiations reached deadlock after the producers had already set their plans for Ajay Devgn’s release in 2026. Later, the announcement of the franchise tried to avoid mention of his name which was a discreet way of communicating his exit.
A Turning Point for Bollywood Franchises
The simultaneous exits from two major sequels underline a broader industry shift. Dhurandhar has shown that a single hit beyond control could very much change the power of an actor. In a production environment where producer-led franchises had the power for ages, the actors or star personalities are now taking the lead by playing roles wisely, not being stereotyped, and asking for better negotiation positions.
The New Reality
For producers, the message is unmistakable: established franchises no longer guarantee stability, and star agreements can no longer be treated as routine. In the case of actors, Dhurandhar is a testament to the fact that a single defining performance can elevate one’s market value instantly.
Dhurandhar is not only the most successful Hindi movie of 2025, but it also indicates very clearly a change in the direction—one that points at a power shift in the constantly changing and developing panorama of Bollywood.
