Agencies | Mumbai:
Amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Don 3, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is reportedly set to take on a new and ambitious project — a biopic on legendary music composer RD Burman. According to recent media reports, Akhtar is in advanced discussions with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey to portray the iconic musician, fondly known as Pancham Da.
As per a report by Pinkvilla, Pandey has been developing the biographical drama for some time, with the script progressing steadily. Sources close to the project claim that Akhtar is enthusiastic about the role and is expected to undergo extensive preparation to authentically portray the life and legacy of the celebrated composer.
“Neeraj Pandey has been developing the RD Burman biopic for a while now, and the writing work is progressing at a rapid pace. Farhan Akhtar is in talks to play the legendary composer and is extremely excited about the prospect of bringing Pancham Da’s journey to the big screen,” a source was quoted as saying.
The report further stated that the makers have secured rights to several classic RD Burman compositions that defined an era of Indian cinema. The film aims to serve as an authentic and emotionally resonant tribute to the music maestro, with work already underway to recreate and present some of his most iconic songs.
If development proceeds as planned, the biopic is expected to go on floors by the end of 2026. Neeraj Pandey will direct the project and co-produce it alongside producer Kamal Jain.
Don 3 Faces Continued Uncertainty
The development comes at a time when Akhtar’s much-anticipated Don 3 remains mired in uncertainty. The project has been the subject of widespread speculation following reports of differences between the filmmaker and actor Ranveer Singh, who was announced as the lead in the franchise reboot.
According to multiple reports, Singh’s reported exit from the film stemmed from creative disagreements, repeated production delays, and concerns over the absence of a finalized script. What initially appeared to be a casting-related issue later evolved into a larger controversy, with reports suggesting that Excel Entertainment sought compensation of Rs 45 crore from the actor.
The matter also drew the attention of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which had issued a non-cooperation directive against Singh before subsequently revoking it.
While neither party has officially commented on the latest developments, the future of Don 3 remains unclear as attention shifts to Akhtar’s potential portrayal of one of Indian music’s most influential figures.
