Everyone was shocked when Farhan Akhtar announced in August that Shah Rukh Khan would not be playing Don in the third movie in the series. After this was made public, a preview with Ranveer Singh as Don was shown. Fans had a range of reactions to the news. Some were happy that the series was coming back, while others thought Shah Rukh Khan should keep playing the stylish criminal that police are after in 11 countries. This led to criticism for Shah Rukh Khan and the movie’s directors, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

In an interview with Deadline, Ranveer Singh stated, “I’m looking forward to make Don my own and give it my spin. It is the handing over of the baton of one of the most loved and revered franchises of Hindi cinema. The significance of that is not lost on me. When the announcement was made, as expected, it came with its share of scepticism. But throughout the history of cinema, this has happened. Even as recently as perhaps when the Bond franchise changed hands and they announced Daniel Craig as the new Bond, it came with its fair share of scepticism. So, this is only natural.”

Talking about the upcoming 3rd instalment of the Don franchise, Ranveer shared, “Taking the baton forward in this franchise and continuing the legacy of two of our greatest film stars – the weight of that is not lost on me. So, I will give it my best and you will see the very best of me and I will put my best foot forward for ‘Don’ without a doubt.”

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/ranveer-singh-calls-don-3-casting-criticism-natural-compares-reaction-craigs-bond-casting-3483956