The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Monday imposed a non-cooperation directive on actor Ranveer Singh following his abrupt departure from Farhan Akhtar's film 'Don 3'. The decision, prompted by a formal complaint from Farhan Akhtar, has sparked significant backlash within the industry. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has publicly questioned the federation's rationale, highlighting the potential impact on the livelihoods of hundreds of workers.
Sanjay Gupta's Reaction
Taking to X, Sanjay Gupta expressed his disapproval, stating, 'When an A List Hero shoots there are more than 300 workers working on sets. Ban him and you are not stopping him but depriving the workers of their livelihood. What sense does it even make???' His comments reflect a broader concern about the consequences of such a ban on the film industry's workforce.
Three Notices, Zero Response
The non-cooperation directive was issued after Farhan Akhtar approached FWICE in April regarding the 'Don 3' dispute. The federation sent three notices to Ranveer Singh, each spaced ten days apart, along with three reminders. However, the actor failed to respond. In a subsequent email, Ranveer asserted that FWICE was not the 'appropriate forum' to resolve what he considered a contractual matter.
FWICE President's Explanation
FWICE President Ashoke Pandit addressed the media to clarify the federation's decision. He explained that Farhan Akhtar filed a formal complaint alleging that Ranveer walked out of the film just days before the scheduled shoot, causing significant disruption. Pandit stated, 'As soon as the complaint reached us, we formally registered it. Subsequently, we issued three notices to Ranveer Singh, inviting him to engage with us, but we received absolutely no response. The moment we announced the press conference, we received an email from Mr Singh stating that this matter did not fall within our jurisdiction. We took note of his stance and decided to proceed accordingly.'
Financial Stakes: Rs 45 Crore Loss
Farhan Akhtar claimed that Ranveer's sudden exit resulted in monetary losses of approximately Rs 45 crore. The federation's official letter detailed the complaint filed by Farhan before IFTDA on April 11, 2026, which was later referred to FWICE. During proceedings, Farhan and producer Ritesh Sidhwani informed FWICE that they had already incurred significant pre-production costs. The letter stated, 'Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani informed FWICE that they have already incurred approximately Rs. 45 crores towards the pre-production of the film. He expressed grave concern that the sudden withdrawal of such a leading actor from the project at an advanced stage could expose the producer to severe financial losses and adversely affect the overall execution of the film.'
Legacy of the Don Franchise
'Don 3' was officially announced by Farhan's production house Excel Entertainment in August 2023, with a teaser revealing Ranveer Singh as the new face of the iconic character. The role was originally played by Amitabh Bachchan and later reimagined by Shah Rukh Khan. The franchise has a storied history in Indian cinema, and the current dispute has cast a shadow over its latest installment.
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