Ranveer Singh faces industry-wide ban as Don 3 fallout escalates

Actor Ranveer Singh has been banned by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees in India following Farhan Akhtar's complaint in the Don 3 row.

In Short

• Ranveer Singh banned by FWICE
• The ban follows his exit from Don 3
• Farhan Akhtar earlier took the dispute to the film body

In a major escalation, actor Ranveer Singh has been officially banned by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) amid an ongoing row over his abrupt exit from Farhan Akhtar's Don 3. The federation took up the matter last week and announced its final decision to the media during a press conference on Monday.

Singh's official spokesperson later issued a statement which stated, "professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect."

Excel demands reimbursement

The FWICE has issued a strict non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh, effectively banning him and instructing the industry not to work with him until he resolves the dispute with the film body over the Rs 45 crore damages demanded by the producers.

Ranveer Singh issues statement after FWICE ban

Singh's spokesperson said, "Ranveer Singh holds 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."

"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," the statement added.

"He continues to hold deep respect and goodwill for all those involved and sincerely wishes the franchise continued success. Choosing restraint and grace in moments like these has always been a conscious decision on his part, and he will continue to maintain the same stance," it concluded.

FWICE warns against last-minute exits

Criticising the actor's last-minute departure, the film body, in its press release wrote, "FWICE firmly believes that the entire film industry functions as one extended family, where every individual associated with different crafts and departments contributes collectively towards the successful creation of a project."

"The Federation considers all artists, technicians, workers, producers, directors, and members from every craft as part of one family bound together by mutual trust, professional commitments, respect, and collective responsibility. FWICE further believes that sudden exits from projects by senior and established actors at crucial stages pose a serious threat to the stability and working ecology of the entertainment industry," the film body added.

The issue of multi-film contract

The dispute stems from a complaint filed by Excel Entertainment back in April, which revealed that the actor had signed a three-film contract with the banner.

In the complaint, the producers demanded that all pre-production damages amounting to Rs 45 crore be borne entirely by Ranveer, with Farhan Akhtar strictly demanding that the massive pre-production costs be reimbursed.

Ranveer declines FWICE discussion

According to the official press release, when the federation stepped in to mediate the fallout, Ranveer refused to discuss the matter with the FWICE, saying that the issue required an "appropriate" forum instead. Despite the current non-cooperation directive, the federation has said that it remains open to discussing the matter further with the actor to find an amicable resolution.

FWICE had stepped into the growing dispute around Don 3 after reports claimed Ranveer Singh walked out of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's film shortly before its shoot.

Ashoke Pandit, Chief Advisor of FWICE, called the matter serious and criticised the reported trend of actors leaving films close to production.

Federation's strict warning

Pandit, in an earlier interview with Bombay Times, had warned actors of strict action for non-compliance of their contracts with the makers. He said, "It's a very serious matter, and this trend is very wrong. You can't withdraw from a project 10 days before the shoot starts. We are having an internal meeting first, and then we are taking a call."

When asked which way the decision could go, he said, "We will do something which is justified now. We will not allow the industry to be doomed here. Tomorrow, anybody can walk out of the movie. Whatever we will do, we will do it in the interest of the industry."

The Producers Guild also intervened

The dispute had earlier reached the Producers Guild of India, where senior producers reportedly tried to mediate. According to reports, Excel Entertainment claimed that the team had spent heavily on pre-production and locked key plans before Singh's exit. Other reports said talks around a settlement had not reached a final decision.

Akhtar also addressed the issue in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. He said, "A lot has happened over the last couple of years. You learn to expect the unexpected. Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film."

All about Don 3

The third instalment of Akhtar's Don film series was officially announced in August 2023, but the project has remained in limbo for three years due to persistent development delays and casting transitions. While Kiara Advani was initially locked to star in the film, the collaboration ultimately fell through.

Speculation was also rife that Hrithik Roshan would assume the titular role, a claim he later declined, while alternative industry reports suggested that director Farhan Akhtar himself might step in to front the movie.

Various media reports indicate that the protagonist has since reassessed his upcoming film lineup following the unprecedented global success of the Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The Aditya Dhar-directed spy thrillers have shattered box office records, with the latest sequel amassing a staggering Rs 1,800 crore worldwide to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time —marking the biggest commercial milestones of the actor's career.

Meanwhile, the actor is pivoting to his ambitious mega-budget zombie entertainer, titled Pralay. Directed by Jai Mehta and set in a post-apocalyptic Mumbai, the film marks a significant career milestone as he officially turns producer, co-producing the dystopian thriller under his own banner, Maa Kasam Films.

Akhtar's last directorial was the 2011 action-thriller Don 2, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani in key roles.

Singh was last seen in director Aditya Dhar's espionage thriller, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The film also featured Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Sanjay Dutt, Manav Gohil and Gaurav Gera.

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