Veteran film producer and former president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), TP Aggarwal, has filed a petition in the Bombay Civil Court in Dindoshi challenging the non-cooperation directive issued by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) against actor Ranveer Singh. The directive was issued in May 2026 following Singh’s abrupt exit from the film *Don 3*, which he had signed onto two years prior.
In his petition, Aggarwal argues that no trade body, organisation, or individual possesses the legal authority to impose a ban or instruct others to refuse collaboration with a person. According to a report in *The Times of India*, Aggarwal emphasized that such actions could have severe consequences for livelihoods and creative freedom. “Such actions can have far-reaching consequences for livelihoods and creative freedom,” he stated, stressing the need for legal recourse in such disputes. Both FWICE and IMPPA have been formally served with court notices as a result of the petition.
The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh’s exit from *Don 3* began in December 2025, when he reportedly left the project two years after signing on to headline it. The film’s production company, Excel Entertainment, has since demanded ₹45 crore in damages from Singh, citing pre-production expenses incurred. FWICE’s non-cooperation directive was issued after Singh failed to respond to multiple invitations to appear in person and address the matter.
FWICE’s chief advisor, Ashoke Pandit, later clarified that the federation does not have the power to impose a ban but can issue a non-cooperation directive. “The entire conversation has become wrong. It’s not a ban. We are not a court; we can’t ban people. Hence, we have issued a non-cooperation,” Pandit told *ETimes*. Despite this clarification, the directive has sparked significant controversy within the film industry.
Meanwhile, the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) has extended its support to Ranveer Singh. CINTAA’s vice-president, Padmini Kolhapure, stated, “CINTAA is proud to have Ranveer Singh as our member. We stand by him and for him whenever he needs us.” She added that the association would not comment further on the matter but assured Singh of their support. CINTAA’s president, Poonam Dhillon, had earlier expressed disappointment that neither party involved in the dispute had approached the association for resolution. “CINTAA, as an association, would have liked to have been at least approached by both parties or either of the parties if there was a problem,” Dhillon said, highlighting the lack of transparency in the matter.
The legal battle between Aggarwal and FWICE underscores broader concerns within the Indian film industry regarding the authority of trade bodies to influence professional relationships. Aggarwal’s petition seeks to establish legal boundaries for such directives, asserting that only courts or statutory authorities have the jurisdiction to impose restrictions on individuals’ professional engagements. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for future disputes involving industry associations and artistes.
