The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has announced a non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh following his reported exit from the Don 3 film project. According to FWICE's official press release, the industry body's decision effectively places a ban on the actor after he allegedly withdrew from the project at an advanced stage of pre-production. The dispute began when filmmaker Farhan Akhtar approached the association on April 11, 2026, expressing concerns about the actor's sudden departure. As per FWICE's latest statement, the filmmaker had filed a formal complaint against Singh on this date, triggering the federation's intervention. However, several reports described the move as a 'ban,' but there is currently no official industry-wide or legal ban imposed on the actor. Instead, FWICE has asked its affiliated workers, technicians and members not to collaborate with Ranveer Singh until the matter is resolved. FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit confirmed that "Farhan wants ₹45 crores. This amount has been accounted for and audited. They have told him, 'This is the amount we have spent. You check, and if you feel there's something wrong in the amount, we are ready to accept it" as per Bollywood Hungama.
During meetings conducted by FWICE, Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani reportedly informed the federation that nearly ₹40 to ₹45 crore had already been spent on the film's pre-production. The filmmaker allegedly told the federation that the actor's sudden departure could expose the production to "severe financial losses" and disrupt the execution of the film. Akhtar described the actor's alleged exit as "highly unacceptable, contrary to industry ethics, and against longstanding professional norms followed within the film fraternity." The controversy is widely being linked to Singh's reported exit from Don 3, the latest instalment in the popular action franchise backed by Excel Entertainment and directed by Farhan Akhtar. Industry reports had suggested that Singh exited the project following creative disagreements with the filmmakers over the tone and treatment of the character. Reportedly, the actor pushed for a darker, more aggressive interpretation, while the production team preferred to retain the franchise's established style and sensibility. The disagreement is also believed to have involved repeated requests for script revisions.
FWICE stated that it contacted Ranveer Singh several times and invited him to appear before the federation to present his side of the matter. According to the official statement, reminders were sent on April 22, April 30 and May 13, however, the actor allegedly did not appear before the body. FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit later told the media: "We tried three times to invite Ranveer Singh, but we didn't get any response from him. When we announced the press conference, we got an email from him." The latest developments show that after three missed dates, the actor finally responded by stating that FWICE is not the appropriate forum to raise his concerns and since the matter pertains to contracts, he would take a legal route. FWICE President BN Tiwari reportedly stated that affiliated workers would refrain from working with the actor until discussions take place and the dispute is settled.
FWICE said it eventually received a response on behalf of Ranveer Singh stating that the issue was "contractual in nature and would require adjudication before the appropriate legal forum." The federation added that it had taken "serious note" of the actor's response and later decided to issue the non-cooperation directive. At the same time, FWICE clarified that it remains open to discussions with the actor to resolve the matter amicably. The federation argued that abrupt exits from large-budget productions directly affect daily wage workers, technicians and junior artists dependent on film shoots for their livelihood. FWICE President BN Tiwari emphasized that "the federation fights for the rights of the workers and also takes care of the producers. We have never taken one-sided decisions. If a producer gets affected, we have to stand by him."
In its official statement, FWICE stressed that last-minute exits by senior and established actors can seriously affect the entertainment industry. The federation stated that "the entire film industry functions as one extended family, where every individual associated with different crafts and departments contributes collectively towards the successful creation of a project." FWICE further stated, "Sudden exits from projects by senior and established actors at crucial stages pose a serious threat to the stability and working ecology of the entertainment industry." The body also appealed to producers and industry organisations to unite in discouraging "such unprofessional practices." FWICE President BN Tiwari announced that "We feel that the message should go to the industry ki koi superstar niyam se bada nahin hai. Hence, we have put in place a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer from this very day." The directive will remain in effect until the dispute is resolved and Ranveer Singh meets the federation.
