MUMBAI (Diya TV) — The Federation of Western India Cine Employees, or FWICE, has announced a non-cooperation directive against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh after his reported exit from Don 3 triggered a major dispute with filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
FWICE said on Monday that more than four lakh members across 38 crafts in the Indian film industry will not work on projects involving Singh until the issue is resolved. The dispute centers on Singh’s alleged last-minute withdrawal from “Don 3,” a reboot of the popular action franchise that had been in development for nearly three years. Producers claim they spent more than Rs 45 crore during the film’s pre-production stage before the actor stepped away from the project.
FWICE honorary general secretary Ashok Dubey said the federation decided after Singh allegedly failed to respond to repeated notices from the organization.
“We will not work with Ranveer Singh after today, whether it is a cameraman, spot boy, lightman, or anyone else from our side,” Dubey said during a press conference. “This non-cooperation will continue till the dispute is cleared.”
Dubey said the federation wanted to send a strong message to the industry about accountability and professional commitments.
“You leave a film which many people have worked on for three years,” he added.
FWICE is one of India’s largest film industry unions. The organization represents workers and technicians across multiple departments in film and television production. It also mediates disputes involving actors, producers, and studios.
According to FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit, Akhtar and Sidhwani first approached the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association, or IFTDA, with a complaint against Singh. The matter was later referred to FWICE. Pandit said the filmmakers informed the federation that they had already invested heavily in “Don 3” before Singh’s reported exit.
“The filmmakers have suffered a huge loss,” Pandit said. “The Federation sent letters and reminders to Ranveer Singh to come and share his side. He chose not to reply to three notices.”
Pandit claimed Singh withdrew from the project only three weeks before filming was scheduled to begin. He added that the federation waited nearly a month for a response before making its decision. According to Pandit, Singh later sent a letter saying FWICE did not have jurisdiction over the issue. That response pushed office bearers to move ahead with the non-cooperation directive.
“We decided to issue a non-cooperation directive. It means any FWICE member working in 38 crafts will not work on projects where Singh is involved,” Pandit said. “Shootings will not be able to happen.”
FWICE president B N Tiwari said the federation supports workers but will also stand with producers if they face unfair treatment.
“The Federation works for the betterment of its workers. But if injustice is done to a producer, the federation will back the producer,” Tiwari said.
He added that no actor is above industry rules.
“We have decided that a message should go to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than rules or the system,” Tiwari said.
The controversy has sparked debate within the Hindi film industry about contracts, production delays, and financial risks linked to major film projects.
The future of “Don 3” now remains uncertain. The film was expected to relaunch the successful franchise with a new lead actor after previous installments starred Shah Rukh Khan. Neither Singh nor his representatives have publicly addressed the allegations in detail. Pandit said the actor sent an email to FWICE shortly before the media briefing began, but officials did not reveal its contents.
