The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh’s exit from 'Don 3' has escalated into a major Bollywood industry dispute after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor.
The move, initially reported as a “ban,” has sparked widespread debate across the film industry, with both FWICE and Ranveer Singh’s team now clarifying their positions.
FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit clarified that the organisation does not have the authority to ban anyone. Speaking to Indian media outlet ETimes, Pandit said the federation had only issued a “non-cooperation” directive.
“See, first of all, the entire conversation has become wrong. It’s not a ban. We are not a court; we can’t ban people,” he said.
What non-cooperation directive means
According to Pandit, FWICE members belonging to 30 affiliated crafts have been advised not to work with Ranveer Singh. However, he clarified that participation remains voluntary and the final decision rests with individual members.
He described the move as a trade union directive rather than an enforceable legal restriction.
Also Read: Film body bans Ranveer Singh over 'Don 3' dispute
Pandit warned that the matter reflects a larger issue within the entertainment industry. He said abrupt exits from projects can cause serious financial losses for producers, particularly in big-budget productions where significant investments are made during pre-production.
He also noted that not every production house has the financial strength of companies like Excel Entertainment.
Rs450m dispute and room for settlement
FWICE said the issue remains unresolved and could set a “wrong precedent” if similar situations continue in the future.
Pandit indicated there is still room for negotiations between Ranveer Singh, the producers and the federation regarding the reported Rs450 million damages being sought by producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
“If you say it’s not 45 crore, we say 30 crore or whatever,” Pandit said, suggesting that discussions could lead to a compromise.
How 'Don 3' dispute began
According to Pandit, the controversy began after Farhan Akhtar filed a complaint with FWICE on April 11. He alleged that Ranveer Singh exited 'Don 3' just three weeks before the production unit was scheduled to leave for shooting.
Pandit said the producers spent nearly two hours presenting details of the incident and documented expenses incurred during pre-production.
FWICE claimed the production team submitted audited records of expenses related to hotel bookings, location bookings and overseas travel arrangements for more than 200 workers.
“Everything is on paper. Nothing is hearsay,” Pandit told reporters in Mumbai. The federation said the losses amounted to nearly Rs450 million.
Singh’s involvement in early production
Pandit also said Ranveer Singh had been deeply involved in the early development stages of the film. According to FWICE, the actor had signed a three-film contract with Excel Entertainment.
“The entire recce was done in his presence. Inputs for the script were made in his presence. A promo was shot with him to announce the film,” Pandit said.
Singh breaks silence through spokesperson
While Ranveer Singh has not personally commented on the controversy, his spokesperson released a carefully worded statement after FWICE issued the directive.
The statement said the actor believes professional matters should be handled with “dignity, maturity and mutual respect.” It added that Singh holds the “highest regard” for the film fraternity and everyone associated with the Don franchise.
According to the statement, Ranveer Singh consciously chose not to respond publicly despite growing speculation surrounding the issue.
“While several narratives and speculations have surfaced over time, Ranveer has never considered it necessary to respond publicly or contribute to conjecture,” the statement said.
It added that the actor’s focus remains firmly on his work and future commitments.
Respect for 'Don' franchise
Ranveer Singh’s team also expressed goodwill toward everyone involved in the project and wished continued success for the Don franchise.
The statement concluded that the actor believes in showing restraint and grace during difficult situations.
FWICE claimed it invited both parties for discussions after the dispute surfaced. While Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani attended the meeting, Ranveer Singh reportedly did not appear despite receiving multiple invitations and reminders every 10 days.
According to the federation, Singh responded by saying FWICE was not the appropriate forum for handling contractual disputes and that the matter should be addressed through proper legal channels.
Federation remains open to talks
FWICE President BN Tiwari defended the decision to issue the directive. “We’ve decided to send a message to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than the law,” he said.
At the same time, the federation said it remains open to meeting Ranveer Singh and finding an amicable resolution in the interest of all parties involved.
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