Ranveer Singh serves legal notice to FWICE over Don 3 fallout

MUMBAI: The dispute between Ranveer Singh and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees has intensified, with the actor serving a legal notice to the film workers’ body after it issued a non-cooperation directive against him over his exit from Don 3.

At the centre of the controversy is Ranveer’s abrupt departure from the highly anticipated film, which was being developed by Excel Entertainment and spearheaded by producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The project had generated significant buzz as Ranveer was set to take forward the iconic franchise previously associated with Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

According to reports, Ranveer exited the project in late 2025, citing creative differences and script-related concerns. The producers, however, alleged that the withdrawal came just before filming was due to begin, after substantial investments had already been made in pre-production activities, including location scouting, travel arrangements and crew logistics. The reported expenditure is estimated at around Rs 45 crore.

The matter was subsequently taken up by FWICE, which said it attempted to mediate the dispute. The organisation claims it invited Ranveer to present his side on three separate occasions over a month-long period. However, the actor did not appear before the body and instead responded through his legal representatives.

That response has now become the focal point of the legal battle. Ranveer’s team has argued that FWICE lacks the authority to intervene in what it describes as a private contractual disagreement between an actor and a production company. The legal notice challenges the federation’s attempt to influence the dispute and questions its jurisdiction over such matters.

The actor’s position draws support from a significant ruling by the Competition Commission of India. In a 2017 case involving producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the regulator held that FWICE could not impose bans or compel industry participants to comply with anti-competitive directives. The order directed the organisation to cease such practices, a precedent that legal observers believe could play an important role in the current dispute.

Perhaps mindful of that ruling, FWICE has repeatedly described its action against Ranveer as a “non-cooperation directive” rather than an outright ban. Even so, the practical implications are substantial. The federation has stated that its affiliated unions and members, including technicians, make-up artists, security personnel and support staff, would refrain from working on projects involving the actor until the matter is addressed.

FWICE president B.N. Tiwari and FWICE official Ashoke Pandit have publicly defended the organisation’s stance, arguing that industry stakeholders must remain accountable when major productions suffer financial setbacks.

The dispute has also triggered wider debate across the film industry, the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association has expressed concern over the public escalation of the matter. CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon reportedly questioned why the actors’ body was not consulted before the dispute entered the public domain and called for dialogue between the parties.

Support for Ranveer has also emerged from sections of the acting community. Kangana Ranaut publicly backed the star, suggesting that industry resistance often accompanies growing success and expressing confidence that he would overcome the setback.

With legal notices now exchanged and positions hardening on both sides, the dispute appears set to move beyond industry corridors and into the legal arena. Unless a settlement is reached between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment, Hindi cinema may soon witness a landmark case that could redefine the limits of trade body influence in India’s film industry.