•FWICE issues non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh over his sudden exit from Farhan Akhtar's 'Don 3'.
•The film body demands Rs 45 crore in damages from the actor, citing pre-production expenses.
•Ranveer Singh failed to respond to FWICE's invitation to discuss the issue despite three reminders.
•The non-cooperation directive affects Ranveer Singh's future projects, including ad films, as all the technicians, workers, and vanity van suppliers are the same.
•FWICE warns producers that if they go ahead with projects involving Ranveer Singh, it will be at their own risk.
•The dispute between Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh over 'Don 3' has sparked a heated debate in the film industry.
•FWICE has over 5,000 sitting members and 32 affiliated craft unions, and its non-cooperation directive is expected to have a significant impact on Ranveer Singh's future projects.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has taken a strong stance against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh over his sudden exit from Farhan Akhtar's directorial 'Don 3'. The film body has issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor, alleging that he failed to respond to their invitation to discuss the issue despite three reminders. FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit stated that Ranveer Singh had signed a contract with Excel Entertainment for three films, including 'Don 3', and had been involved in the pre-production process, including the recce and script inputs.
According to Pandit, the pre-production expenses for 'Don 3' add up to Rs 45 crore, which Excel Entertainment has demanded as damages from Ranveer Singh. Despite three reminders, Ranveer Singh failed to appear before the FWICE to present his side of the story, prompting the film body to issue the non-cooperation directive. "We've decided to send a message to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than the law," said FWICE President BN Tiwari. The directive effectively bans Ranveer Singh from working with FWICE-affiliated workers, including technicians, spotboys, and vanity van suppliers, which are estimated to be around 5,000 members.
FWICE has also stated that the non-cooperation directive will affect Ranveer Singh's future projects, including ad films, as all the technicians, workers, and vanity van suppliers are the same. Pandit emphasized that the FWICE has taken a stand in the interest of the producers and the industry, and not against Ranveer Singh personally. "We celebrate and respect his stardom, but you can't take a stand of being aloof from the industry," he said. FWICE has also warned producers that if they go ahead with projects involving Ranveer Singh, it will be at their own risk.
The dispute between Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh over 'Don 3' has been ongoing for several weeks, with Excel Entertainment reportedly seeking Rs 40 crore in compensation. The Producers Guild of India may also intervene to resolve the dispute. FWICE has stated that it will share its final decision only after a thorough review of the complaint and a careful assessment of all relevant aspects surrounding the issue. Ranveer Singh has remained silent on the matter, with his secretary sending a mail to FWICE arguing that the federation does not have jurisdiction over the matter.
The FWICE has over 5,000 sitting members and 32 affiliated craft unions, and its non-cooperation directive is expected to have a significant impact on Ranveer Singh's future projects. Pandit emphasized that the FWICE has always maintained a fair balance between the producers and the workers, and that the non-cooperation directive is aimed at ensuring that workers are not humiliated or left in the lurch due to an actor's sudden exit from a project. "Bachche jab kharab ho jate hain, unko sahi karna padta hai," chimed in Tiwari, which translates to "When children go wrong, they need to be corrected."
The dispute between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar's 'Don 3' has sparked a heated debate in the film industry, with many questioning the trend of actors abandoning projects at the last minute. FWICE has stated that it will take a similar stand if a producer removes a director or a technician at the last minute, emphasizing the need for fair treatment of workers in the industry.
