Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Tuesday posted on social media a teaser video of Don 3, promising a new era before confirming that Shah Rukh Khan will not reprise his role as the titular underworld mafia boss in the third instalment of the franchise.

The 36-second-long video comes with a red band flashing across the screen to form the number three as a female voice sings ‘Har dil mein halchal hain, aaya hai dekho kaun’ — iconic lines from the theme song from Don 2.

Later in the day, Farhan posted a note on social media, confirming that Shah Rukh will not be reprising his role in the upcoming movie. He also announced that Don 3 is slated to release in 2025.

"In 2006, Don was reimagined and brought to life by Shah Rukh Khan in his own irresistibly charming way. From Don’s sardonic wit to his cool but menacing fury, Shah Rukh embodied his persona. As writer and director, I had a great time creating not one but two, ‘Don’ films with Shah Rukh and both experiences remain very close to my heart," he wrote on the microblogging site.

"The time has now come to take the legacy of Don forward and joining us in this new interpretation will be an actor whose talent and versatility I have long admired. We hope that you will show him the love you have so graciously and generously shown to Mr Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. A new era of Don begins in 2025. Watch this space," Farhan added.

It is speculated that Ranveer Singh will be playing the titular role in the upcoming film, filling the shoes of Shah Rukh. Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), the first film in Farhan’s franchise, was a remake of the eponymous 1978 blockbuster starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role. Farhan also made a sequel — Don 2: The King Is Back — in 2011 which saw Shah Rukh reprise his role as the enigmatic don.

Don: The Chase Begins Again had earned Rs 105 crore worldwide while the sequel minted Rs 203 crore.