The bitter dispute between actor Ranveer Singh and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has escalated significantly, with the actor serving a formal legal notice to the film workers' body on June 2, 2026. This move marks one of the sharpest escalations in Bollywood's most high-profile industry stand-offs in recent years, stemming from his reported exit from the upcoming film 'Don 3'.
Ranveer Singh Moves Court Against FWICE's Non-Cooperation Directive
According to reports, the legal notice was served on June 2, days after the non-cooperation directive was issued. Ranveer Singh has challenged the directive through legal channels, arguing that FWICE has no jurisdiction over what his team describes as a contractual dispute between the actor and the producers. The exact demands made in the notice remain undisclosed. FWICE has also called a press conference on June 3 to address the escalating situation.
What Triggered the Ranveer Singh–FWICE Dispute?
The controversy began when Ranveer Singh reportedly walked out of 'Don 3', directed and produced by Farhan Akhtar under Excel Entertainment. The production house has claimed losses of around Rs 40-45 crore from the fallout, citing pre-production costs and scheduling commitments made to accommodate the actor. Following the exit, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive, asking all its affiliated member unions to refuse work on any project featuring Ranveer Singh. The organisation said it viewed the actor's departure as a matter that could expose producers to heavy financial losses and disrupt the project's execution. FWICE later clarified that the directive should not be described as a 'ban', though much of the industry and media had used that term.
Ranveer Singh's Response
Ranveer Singh responded through an official spokesperson shortly after FWICE's announcement. Without directly addressing the allegations, the actor maintained a measured stance.
'Ranveer Singh holds the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise. Throughout the recent developments surrounding Don 3, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect,' the statement said.
Veteran Producer Moves Bombay Civil Court
Adding another dimension to the matter, veteran producer and former IMPPA president TP Aggarwal has challenged FWICE's move by filing a petition before the Bombay Civil Court in Dindoshi. The petition names FWICE and IMPPA as respondents, contending that no individual, association, or trade body has the legal authority to ban or issue non-cooperation directives against film personalities. Court notices were served to both organisations.
More About 'Don 3'
'Don 3' was officially announced in 2023, with Ranveer Singh unveiled as the new face of the franchise through a teaser. The film, which was expected to go on floors in 2026, only entered pre-production in late 2025 before the fallout occurred. As of now, the future of 'Don 3' remains unclear, with no official casting or production timeline announced since Ranveer's exit.
