Don 3 Dispute: Ram Gopal Varma Calls FWICE Move ‘Outdated’, Backs Ranveer Singh

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has come out in support of Ranveer Singh amid the ongoing dispute surrounding Don 3, sharply criticising the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) for issuing a non-cooperation directive against the actor.

In a series of posts on X, Varma argued that FWICE’s intervention in the matter was inappropriate, describing the organisation’s action as “pure performative muscle flexing” by an “extremely outdated union system.” He maintained that the disagreement over Don 3 was a private contractual dispute and should be resolved between the parties directly involved.

“BAN ‘FWICE’ and not @RanveerOfficial,” Varma wrote, adding that the federation’s move would eventually become a “BIG FAT JOKE on FWICE.”

Varma Questions FWICE’s Role

Varma contended that FWICE is neither a court nor a government-authorised regulatory body and questioned its authority to intervene in what he described as a civil dispute between a producer and an actor.

He also challenged claims that the issue had significantly affected industry workers, arguing that the livelihoods of film employees are not dependent on a single actor or project. Referring to allegations that technicians had suffered losses due to Ranveer Singh’s reported exit from Don 3, Varma called on any affected individuals to publicly present evidence and explain how they had been impacted.

The filmmaker further suggested that producers would continue to seek collaborations with Ranveer despite the federation’s directive, citing the actor’s recent success in Dhurandhar.

“It is stars like @RanveerOfficial who sell tickets at the theatres and not FWICE,” Varma wrote. “It is stars like @RanveerOfficial who create employment to those lakhs of FWICE workers and not FWICE.”

FWICE Clarifies Its Position

FWICE announced the non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar approached the federation regarding the Don 3 dispute.

At a press conference, FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit said the federation had received a complaint from Akhtar alleging that Ranveer withdrew from the project shortly before production plans were set to move forward, causing substantial disruption.

Pandit stated that FWICE issued three notices to the actor but did not receive a response. He later said the actor’s side communicated that the matter did not fall under the federation’s jurisdiction.

FWICE subsequently clarified that its action was not a ban. Pandit explained that the directive was a temporary measure advising members affiliated with the federation’s various craft unions not to work with the actor until the dispute is resolved.

He also said the organisation was concerned that the incident could set an unhealthy precedent within the film industry.

Farhan Akhtar’s Compensation Claim

The dispute centres on allegations that Ranveer Singh’s withdrawal from Don 3 caused significant financial losses to the producers.

Farhan Akhtar has reportedly claimed that approximately ₹45 crore had already been invested in the project through pre-production expenses. The amount, according to statements made during the dispute, has been audited and documented.

The parties involved are understood to remain open to discussions aimed at resolving the matter and potentially reviving the film.

Ranveer Singh Maintains Silence

Following FWICE’s announcement, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson issued a statement saying the actor holds “the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise.”

The statement said Singh had consciously chosen not to comment publicly on the matter, believing that professional discussions and personal relationships should be handled with “dignity, maturity and mutual respect.”

It added that the actor remains focused on his work and continues to wish success to everyone associated with the franchise.

CINTAA Leaders Support the Actor

The controversy has also prompted reactions from members of the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA).

Vice-president Padmini Kolhapure publicly backed Ranveer Singh, saying, “CINTAA is proud to have Ranveer Singh as our member. We stand by him and for him whenever he needs us.”

CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon also expressed disappointment that neither the actor, the producers nor FWICE had approached the association during the dispute. She said the organisation could have attempted to mediate between the parties and help resolve the issue.

Don 3 was announced by Excel Entertainment in 2023, with Ranveer Singh set to take over the lead role previously played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in the franchise’s earlier films. The project remains at the centre of a dispute that has sparked wider debate about contractual obligations, industry accountability and the role of film bodies in resolving conflicts.