Farhan Akhtar’s Complaint Against Ranveer Singh Leads to FWICE Directive

Ranveer Singh has responded after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against him over his reported exit from Don 3. The actor’s statement came hours after the film body announced that its members would not work with him until the matter is resolved.

Late on Monday night, Ranveer Singh was spotted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Videos shared by paparazzi showed the actor arriving in a white kurta-pyjama with a Nehru jacket, sunglasses, and a black face mask as he walked into the airport amid tight security.

The controversy stems from a complaint filed by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment. FWICE said the producers alleged that Ranveer Singh exited Don 3 weeks before the scheduled shoot, resulting in significant financial losses tied to the film’s pre-production.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Ranveer Singh said he continues to hold “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.

It added, “While several narratives and speculations have surfaced over time, Ranveer has never considered it necessary to respond publicly or contribute to conjecture. His focus remains firmly on his work and the commitments ahead.”

FWICE said Farhan Akhtar first approached the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) on April 11, after which the matter was referred to the federation. During meetings held by FWICE, the producers reportedly informed the body that nearly ₹45 crore had already been spent on pre-production, including overseas travel, hotel bookings, and location arrangements for a large crew.

FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit said the federation sent Ranveer Singh three notices asking him to appear before the body. According to the federation, the actor did not attend the meetings.

FWICE President BN Tiwari said the decision was taken after internal discussions and stressed that the issue affected workers across the film industry.

“When a film is made, thousands of workers get employment. When a film suddenly stops, junior artists and daily wage workers also suffer financial losses,” Tiwari said.

He also stated that “even if someone is a superstar, they are not above the rules and regulations.”

FWICE clarified that the directive is a non-cooperation order involving its affiliated unions and workers rather than a legal or government-imposed ban. The federation has previously issued similar directives in disputes involving singer Mika Singh and actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh.

Mika Singh briefly faced FWICE action in 2019 after performing at a wedding in Karachi. The directive was later revoked after he met federation officials and issued an apology. Diljit Dosanjh also faced a non-cooperation directive after working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. FWICE later allowed him to complete shooting commitments for Border 2 following intervention from producer Bhushan Kumar.

The dispute involving Ranveer Singh and Don 3 has added uncertainty around the film, which was announced by Excel Entertainment in August 2023 with Ranveer replacing Shah Rukh Khan as the lead in the franchise originally fronted by Amitabh Bachchan.

Reports cited in the dispute claim that Ranveer Singh had concerns regarding production delays and the absence of a finalised script, though the actor has not publicly addressed those claims. FWICE also said Ranveer’s team questioned the federation’s jurisdiction in the matter through an email sent after the body announced its press conference.

Ranveer Singh is expected to move ahead with projects including Dhurandhar and Pralay, though the FWICE directive could affect production scheduling and crew coordination if the matter remains unresolved.