In a major escalation of a long-running industry dispute, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against superstar Ranveer Singh on Monday, May 25, 2026, for abruptly exiting the highly anticipated film *Don 3* and failing to engage with the body despite repeated summons. The move marks a rare public censure of a top-tier actor by India’s largest film trade union and underscores the federation’s stance that no individual, regardless of fame, is above industry rules.
FWICE’s decision followed over five months of unresolved tension between Ranveer and director-producer Farhan Akhtar, whose production house Excel Entertainment has demanded ₹45 crore in damages for pre-production losses incurred after the actor walked out just three weeks before the scheduled departure of the shooting unit. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit revealed that Farhan Akhtar had filed a formal complaint with the federation on April 11, 2026, detailing how Ranveer’s mid-December 2025 exit caused “major disruption” to the project. Pandit stated that the Don 3 team, including Farhan, presented audited records of expenses—hotel, location, and overseas travel bookings for over 200 workers—amounting to substantial pre-production costs. “Everything is on paper. Nothing is hearsay,” Pandit asserted.
Despite three formal notices issued every 10 days, Ranveer Singh neither appeared before FWICE nor responded substantively to the allegations. His team finally sent an email only after the federation announced the press conference, questioning FWICE’s jurisdiction and asserting that the body had no grounds to intervene. Pandit rejected this claim, stating, “We know our jurisdiction. It’s a trade union. We don’t appreciate him saying that.” He added that FWICE had followed due process, inviting both parties—producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar—to present their sides, with Sidhwani attending in person and Farhan joining virtually from London.
FWICE President BN Tiwari emphasized that the dispute transcended a personal conflict, directly impacting thousands of daily wage workers and junior artists who rely on film productions for livelihood. “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 stressed that FWICE represents technicians, artists, and producers across the industry and does not take sides, but added firmly: “A strong message needs to be sent to the industry. Even if someone is a superstar, they are not above the rules and regulations.”
In response, Ranveer Singh’s official spokesperson released a statement reiterating the actor’s respect for the film fraternity and his commitment to handling professional matters “with dignity, maturity, and mutual respect.” The statement read, “Ranveer holds the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise. Throughout the recent developments, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity... His focus remains firmly on his work and the commitments ahead.” The spokesperson also expressed hope that the Don franchise continues to thrive and affirmed that Ranveer would maintain his stance of restraint.
The non-cooperation directive—FWICE’s strongest punitive measure—bars Ranveer Singh from availing any union-backed services or cooperation within the Mumbai film industry until he agrees to appear in person and resolve the dispute. This includes access to technicians’ unions, daily wage worker pools, and other industry resources typically facilitated by FWICE. Tiwari clarified that the federation’s action was not punitive in intent but aimed at preserving industry discipline and protecting workers’ interests. “We’ve decided to send a message to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than the law,” he said.
The controversy began in December 2025, when Ranveer, who had signed on to star in *Don 3* two years earlier, reportedly withdrew from the project with little warning, leaving the production team scrambling to recast and reorganize. The dispute has since festered in industry circles, with media reports highlighting escalating tensions between Ranveer and Farhan Akhtar. Industry observers note that such public censures by trade bodies are uncommon and signal growing intolerance for unprofessional conduct that disrupts large-scale productions and endangers livelihoods.
As the ban takes effect, all eyes remain on Ranveer Singh’s next move. For now, his team has reiterated his commitment to silence and dignity, while FWICE has made it clear that compliance—not celebrity—will dictate the resolution of one of Bollywood’s most closely watched industry disputes in recent years.
