Amidst the ongoing uncertainty around the production of Don 3, reports suggest that Farhan Akhtar is preparing for a new project. The filmmaker is reportedly in talks with director Neeraj Pandey for a biopic on the legendary music composer, RD Burman.

According to industry insiders, the project is moving forward, with plans for the film to go on the floors by the end of 2026. A source cited by Pinkvilla claimed, “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. If all goes according to plan, he will undergo extensive preparation to get into the skin of the character.” 

The production team has reportedly secured the rights to the iconic music tracks composed by RD Burman, which were instrumental in defining an era of Indian cinema. The insider added, “The team has secured rights to the classic RD Burman tracks that defined an era. The idea is to create an emotionally rich homage to the genius of Pancham Da. Music sittings have already begun to bring the best versions of the original songs.” Neeraj Pandey is set to direct the film and will co-produce it alongside Kamal Jain, known for his work on MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Manikarnika.

This development arrives as Farhan Akhtar navigates challenges regarding Don 3. The project has been mired in controversy, largely stemming from a fallout between Farhan and Ranveer. Reports indicate that Ranveer exited the film due to creative differences and dissatisfaction over production delays and the lack of a finalized script.

The situation between the two parties previously escalated into a legal dispute, with Farhan’s Excel Entertainment seeking Rs 45 crore in compensation. The matter also involved the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor, a measure that has since been revoked.

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Salman Khan has taken legal action against the makers of the upcoming film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, approaching the Delhi High Court to seek an injunction against the project. The actor alleges that the film unlawfully exploits his personality rights and falsely portrays events connected to him. On Friday, a vacation bench of the Delhi High Court, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, issued a notice to the film’s producers, Amit Jani, Akshay Pandey, and others. The matter has been listed for a follow-up hearing on June 19.

During the proceedings, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Salman Khan, argued that the film is purportedly based on the actor’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case. He contended that the project violates an earlier High Court order that protects the actor’s personality rights.

The legal application filed by Salman highlights that the film’s promotional material contains clear references to him. Specifically, it points to a character in the film who bears an uncanny resemblance to the actor, notably wearing his signature blue bracelet. The application states, “The character depicted has an uncanny resemblance to the plaintiff and is clearly seen wearing a bracelet, which is immediately and promptly identifiable with the plaintiff and no one else.”

Salman also argued that such a portrayal is objectionable, especially given that he was acquitted in the proceedings under the Arms Act. Salman contends that the film is capable of misleading the public regarding actual events. The plea also mentions that despite receiving a legal notice dated April 24, the producers continued to publicise the film and repost content linking it to the actor.

Describing the situation as a “gross violation” of his recognized personality rights, Salman has sought immediate injunctive relief against the film’s development, production, publication, and promotion. During the hearing, while counsel for the producers confirmed that the trailer had been released earlier on Friday, they noted that no official release date for the film has been announced. However, Salman’s legal team has urged the court to issue an injunction against the entire project.

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Imtiaz Ali’s latest directorial venture, Main Vaapas Aaunga released in theatres on June 12. The film, which features an ensemble cast starring Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, Vedang Raina, and Naseeruddin Shah, brings an emotional story based on the Partition era to the big screen.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the project, which is inspired by real-life stories from the Partition, the film saw a slow start at the box office. According to official reports, the film earned Rs 1.15 crore in India net collections on its opening day. When considering the India gross collection, the figure reached approximately Rs 1.38 crore.

This initial performance comes despite a wide release strategy, with the film being screened across 2,302 screens nationwide, supported by an extensive promotional campaign. Early trade estimates indicate that the film recorded an overall occupancy of 12.22% on its first day.

While the box office numbers remain modest, the audience and critical response has highlighted the quality of the performances. Although there have been mixed reactions about the story and the pacing of the film, the work delivered by the ensemble cast has been largely appreciated by those who have watched it.

Main Vaapas Aaunga also faced some competition in a crowded slate. It clashed directly with Kangana Ranaut’s Bharata Bhhagya Viddhaata, which reportedly earned around Rs 1 crore on its opening day. The film is also contending for screen space and audience attention alongside several other major releases, including Manoj Bajpayee’s Governor, Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, and the international release He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Industry observers are now looking toward the weekend, noting that strong word of mouth could be the deciding factor in helping the film gain momentum. Given Imtiaz Ali’s established reputation for storytelling and the emotional depth of the film’s subject matter, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Main Vaapas Aaunga can establish a firmer foothold at the box office.

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