Farhan Akhtar is heading to Hollywood, but not everyone’s celebrating.
The actor-filmmaker is set to make his Hollywood debut in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles biopic, playing the iconic Bharat Ratna awardee Pandit Ravi Shankar. While the casting marks a milestone for Indian representation on the global stage, fans are questioning one thing: what happens to Don 3?
Farhan Akhtar’s Hollywood Debut: The Beatles Connection
According to Variety, The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event has already begun production in the UK. The massive biographical series will unfold across four interconnected films, each telling the Fab Four’s story through the eyes of a different band member—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Farhan’s role as Ravi Shankar isn’t just a supporting act. It’s central to the narrative. The legendary sitar maestro shared a deep musical and spiritual bond with George Harrison during the late 1960s, introducing the Beatles guitarist to Indian classical music and Eastern philosophy. That cultural exchange shaped some of the band’s most experimental work.
Sony Pictures has locked April 2028 for the global theatrical release. Sam Mendes, the Academy Award-winning director behind 1917 and Skyfall, will helm all four installments under his Neal Street Productions banner.
The Beatles Biopic Cast: A Star-Studded Ensemble
The Beatles biopic cast reads like a who’s who of contemporary cinema. Harris Dickinson steps into John Lennon’s shoes, while Paul Mescal takes on Paul McCartney. Joseph Quinn will portray George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan rounds out the core four as Ringo Starr.
The supporting cast? Equally impressive. Lucy Boynton plays Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark is Cynthia Lennon, Saoirse Ronan becomes Linda McCartney, and Anna Sawai takes on Yoko Ono. James Norton will portray the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein.
This isn’t just another music biopic. It’s a cinematic event designed to capture the cultural earthquake that was the Beatles—from multiple perspectives, across four theatrical releases.
Don 3 Drama: Why Fans Are Upset
But here’s the thing. While Farhan’s Hollywood debut has generated buzz, it’s also sparked backlash. Fans eager for Don 3 aren’t holding back their frustration on social media.
One Reddit user didn’t mince words: “Kitni fandoms ko choona lagakar bhag gaya yeh aadmi.” Another wrote, “And he claims he was starting Don 3…like when? He just wants the actors and crew wait in the sides indefinitely while he goes around satisfying his acting ka keeda….Never thought Farhan is such a fake guy…Very disappointed…”
The criticism keeps coming. “He is taking back to back acting offers. so when was he actually planning to do DON3?” questioned another fan. One comment cut deeper: “See this man has no intention of directing anything. He will keep trying to do roles in big franchises and just get easy cheques.”
The casting drama surrounding Don 3 has been ongoing, with rumors and speculation about who’ll lead the franchise next. Now, with Farhan juggling international commitments, fans worry the project might be pushed indefinitely.
From Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara to Global Stages
To be fair, Farhan Akhtar’s acting credentials are solid. From Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara to Bhaag Milkha Bhaag to his brief but memorable stint in Marvel’s Ms Marvel, he’s proven his range. The Beatles movie now positions him alongside some of the biggest names in global cinema.
For Indian actors breaking into Hollywood, representation matters. Farhan playing Ravi Shankar—a cultural bridge between East and West—feels both symbolic and fitting. Production is currently underway in the UK, and the scale of this project is unprecedented.
Balancing Bollywood Ambitions and Hollywood Dreams
The real question isn’t whether Farhan deserves this opportunity. He does. The question is whether he can balance his directorial commitments back home with his acting ambitions abroad.
Don 3 fans have been waiting. The franchise has cult status, and every delay fuels speculation. Whether Farhan addresses these concerns directly or lets his work do the talking remains to be seen. For now, he’s chasing a Hollywood dream that few Indian filmmakers have realized—while leaving a trail of impatient fans in his wake.
The Beatles film hits theaters in April 2028. Don 3? That timeline is still anyone’s guess.
