Ranveer Singh has broken his silence following the Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ (FWICE) decision to issue a non-cooperation directive against him. The heavy-handed ban was announced during a press conference on Monday, following the actor's sudden exit from Farhan Akhtar's highly anticipated action film, 'Don 3'.
The directive effectively bars FWICE members from working with Singh until the standoff is resolved. Furthermore, the film body has thrown its weight behind the producers' demands, calling on the actor to reimburse a staggering ₹45 crore in alleged pre-production losses.
Responding to the escalating drama, Singh's spokesperson released a statement explaining that the actor had deliberately chosen not to engage in a public slanging match. The statement emphasised that Singh holds the film fraternity and the Don franchise in the highest regard, believing that professional disagreements are best handled with maturity, dignity, and mutual respect. It went on to clarify that despite the mounting speculation, Singh sees no need to contribute to the media circus, preferring instead to focus entirely on his upcoming commitments while genuinely wishing the franchise continued success.
The row ignited after reports emerged that Singh had abandoned the project just days before cameras were set to roll. The dispute quickly landed at the doorstep of the Producers Guild of India, where industry veterans tried and failed to mediate between the star and Excel Entertainment, the production house helmed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. According to FWICE, Excel had filed a formal complaint back in April, claiming Singh had breached a three-film contract and sought compensation for the massive pre-production expenses already flushed down the drain.
Viewing the practice of actors backing out at the last minute rather unfavourably, FWICE issued a strongly worded statement to highlight that filmmaking requires team effort and the element of trust among all departments. According to the union, the sudden departure of high-calibre actors at such a crucial juncture poses a threat to the stability of the entire film industry.
FWICE also claimed that when they tried to step in and mediate, Singh refused to engage, arguing that the federation was not the "appropriate" forum for the dispute. Despite the snub, the organisation insists its doors remain open for an amicable resolution. The body's chief advisor, Ashoke Pandit, had previously warned that the trend of actors walking out right before a shoot was incredibly damaging, promising that FWICE would take a firm stand to protect the wider interests of the industry.
Since its initial announcement in 2023, 'Don 3' has been plagued by delays and casting upheavals, including a brief, unsuccessful association with Kiara Advani. While this latest controversy leaves the franchise in limbo, Singh’s professional stock remains incredibly high. He is currently riding the wave of the massive box office success of 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', which shattered records to become one of the biggest Indian films in history. Shifting his focus away from the Don fallout, the actor is now pouring his energy into his upcoming zombie thriller 'Pralay', a project that will also see him step behind the camera as a producer for the first time.
Also read: Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ to release in Japan on July 10
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