The ongoing controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh's reported departure from 'Don 3' has taken a new turn after an old video of the actor resurfaced online. The clip, taken from his appearance on 'Koffee With Karan' alongside Deepika Padukone, has gone viral across social media platforms. This renewed attention comes days after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor, sparking heated discussions within the film industry and among fans.
Ranveer Singh's Emotional Appeal Resurfaces
Long before the present controversy erupted, Ranveer Singh had openly spoken about the criticism he faced after being announced as the lead of 'Don 3'. During a rapid-fire conversation with Karan Johar, the actor was asked what he would like to tell people who doubted his casting in the franchise. In response, Ranveer said, "Ek chance dedo, 12-13 saal me theek thaak hi kaam kiya hai maine, toh ek mauka toh banta hai." (Give me one chance. I think I've done fairly decent work over the last 12-13 years, so I deserve at least one opportunity.) The clip has now resurfaced at a time when discussions about the actor and the future of 'Don 3' continue to dominate entertainment headlines.
Author Shobhaa De Slams the Non-Cooperation Directive
Writer and columnist Shobhaa De did not hold back while reacting to the controversy. In a strongly worded video statement, she criticized FWICE's decision and compared the situation to the Delhi Gymkhana Club issue. Questioning the federation's authority, she remarked, "Who is FWICE? I don't think they're all that important, but suddenly they have assumed the kind of importance to say, 'Oh, we won't allow this man, this superstar, the most successful actor in India, to get to the studios and to his work.'" She also warned that such actions could end up affecting technicians and crew members connected to projects involving the actor. "What is happening is something very ugly," she added, while stressing that entertainment should not become a space for intimidation or power battles.
FWICE Clarifies It Is 'Not a Ban'
Following backlash on social media, FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit later clarified that the federation had not officially banned Ranveer Singh. According to him, the organization had only announced a temporary non-cooperation directive involving its members. Explaining the move, he said, "It's not a ban. We are not the court; we can't ban people." The issue reportedly began after Farhan Akhtar approached the federation regarding Ranveer Singh's alleged last-minute exit from 'Don 3'.
Ranveer Singh Maintains Silence
While the controversy continues to make headlines, Ranveer Singh himself has refrained from publicly reacting to the matter. However, his spokesperson recently released a statement emphasizing that the actor continues to respect the 'Don' franchise and everyone associated with it. The statement noted that Ranveer prefers to handle professional matters "with dignity, maturity and mutual respect" and remains focused on his upcoming projects.
