Matribhumi Samachar English
Mumbai. Monday, 25 May 2026
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has taken an unprecedented and strict stance against Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh. Dropping a major bombshell on the Hindi film industry, the apex body representing over four lakh entertainment workers has officially issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against the actor.
This dramatic escalation means that until the matter is resolved, no technician, camera operator, lightman, or spot boy affiliated with FWICE will participate in any of Ranveer Singh’s current or upcoming film projects.
While initial whispers in the industry vaguely mentioned an unnamed “three-film deal,” fresh structural details from the official FWICE press conference have brought the exact details to light.
The Root Cause: The Sudden Walkout from Don 3
The entire controversy stems from Ranveer Singh’s sudden departure from filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s highly anticipated franchise film, Don 3.
Excel Entertainment had officially announced Ranveer as the new face of the iconic franchise back in August 2023. However, relations deteriorated behind the scenes following the massive box office success of Ranveer’s spy-thriller, Dhurandhar (and its record-smashing sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge). Reports suggest that the actor requested sweeping structural changes to the Don 3 script, which the makers rejected.
Farhan Akhtar formally filed a complaint with the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) on April 11, 2026, which was subsequently escalated to FWICE. According to IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit, Ranveer allegedly walked away from the movie just three weeks before the unit was scheduled to fly out for the shoot, leaving the production house stranded.
Major Financial Blow to Excel Entertainment
During the official federation hearings, Excel Entertainment presented proof that they have incurred massive financial losses.
-
Pre-Production Expenses: The makers had already funneled roughly ₹45 crore into intensive preparation, location scouting, set design, and advanced technical setups before the abrupt walkout.
-
Opportunity Costs: Director Farhan Akhtar noted in his grievance that he also suffered personal professional losses, as his own acting dates and calendar year were heavily blocked specifically to helm this massive directorial project.
“No Superstar Is Above the Rules” — FWICE Explains the Action
Addressing the media, FWICE President B.N. Tiwari and Honorary General Secretary Ashok Dubey clarified that the non-cooperation directive wasn’t merely triggered by the contractual fallout, but by the actor’s subsequent conduct toward the regulatory system.
The federation revealed they had sent three formal notices and three subsequent reminders at 10-day intervals to Ranveer Singh, inviting him to sit down and amicably mediate the issue.
“We sent multiple notices inviting him to engage with us, but received absolutely no response,” stated Ashoke Pandit. “The moment we formally scheduled a press conference to apprise the industry, we received an email from Mr. Singh’s team stating that this federation did not have the appropriate legal jurisdiction over his contractual matters. We took serious note of this stance. A superstar cannot be above the working ecology and rules of the industry.”
FWICE has maintained that the NCD will remain implemented right away and will continue until Ranveer personally steps forward to engage in discussions and arrives at an amicable financial resolution regarding the losses suffered by the producers.
Ranveer Singh Breaks His Silence
In response to the federation’s clampdown, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson released a measured statement, signaling a preference for legal restraint over a public media war.
His team conveyed that throughout the internal friction regarding Don 3, the actor has “consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity, and mutual respect.” His representatives also hinted that choosing a path of restraint and grace remains a conscious decision, even as major trade bodies urge a unified stand.
