Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has landed in soup on Monday after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against him over his abrupt exit from Farhan Akhtar-directorial ‘Don 3.’ The film body landed on the decision after an internal meeting held on Monday, and called upon the members of the industry not to collaborate with the actor until the dispute surrounding the project is resolved. 

The Don 3 row has sparked a major debate in Bollywood, with producers and industry bodies questioning the growing trend of actors walking out of projects at advanced stages of production. 

FWICE calls exit a ‘serious matter’

The controversy surfaced days after Ranveer Singh allegedly withdrew from Don 3 just before its shoot was scheduled to begin. The ‘Excel Entertainment’-backed project, being produced by Ritesh Sadhwani, had already garnered massive buzz due to its scale and the franchise’s legacy. 

FWICE Chief Ashoke Pandit had earlier termed the matter ‘very serious,’ warning that sudden exits from films close to production could severely damage the industry. He said in an interview conducted earlier, “You can’t withdraw from a project 10 days before the shoot starts,” adding that the federation would take a decision keeping the larger interests of the film industry in view. 

He added, “We will not allow the film industry to be doomed here. Tomorrow, anybody can walk out of the movie.” 

Discussions raised in the meeting

As per reports, senior office-bearers of the FWICE, including President BN Tiwari, Honorary General Secretary Ashok Dubey and Treasurer Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, participated in the internal deliberations before the directive was finalised. Earlier, the dispute had reached the Producers Guild of India, where attempts had been made to mediate between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. Sources familiar with the development said that the production house had already invested heavily in pre-production planning and scheduling before the actor withdrew from the film. 

However, reports also suggested that discussions regarding compensation or settlement had not reached any conclusion. 

Farhan Akhtar voices concern too

Farhan Akhtar also addressed the uncertainty surrounding ‘Don 3’ during 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.” 

Notably, Don 3 has remained one of Bollywood’s most closely-watched projects, as it marks the continuation of the iconic Don franchise, headlined earlier by Shah Rukh Khan. Akhtar last worked as a director in Don 2, which starred Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Boman Irani alongside Khan.