A major Indian film workers’ union has issued a non-cooperation directive against Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh following his alleged abrupt exit from the upcoming film Don 3, triggering one of the Hindi film industry’s biggest controversies in recent years.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which represents thousands of film and television workers across 34 craft associations, said producers of the film had already spent around Rs45 crore (S$6 million) on pre-production and overseas schedules before Ranveer allegedly withdrew from the project.
FWICE president B.N. Tiwari said the organisation had repeatedly asked the actor to appear before its representatives and explain his position, but received no response.
“We’ve decided to send a message to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than the rules,” he said.
FWICE later clarified that the move was not a formal ban but a temporary “non-cooperation directive”, meaning its members have been advised not to work with the actor until the dispute is resolved.
The controversy centres on Don 3, the latest instalment of the iconic Bollywood action franchise originally made famous by Amitabh Bachchan in 1978 and later rebooted by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. Ranveer had been announced as the new face of the franchise in 2023, reported the Times of India.
According to FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit, the actor allegedly withdrew from the film just weeks before shooting was due to begin, causing major financial and logistical disruptions.
Reports also suggested that Ranveer’s team had attempted to settle the dispute by offering Rs10 crore upfront and a future discount on another film project with Excel Entertainment, the production company run by Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani. However, the producers reportedly rejected the proposal.
Ranveer’s spokesperson said the actor maintained “the highest regard” for the film fraternity and the Don franchise, and had consciously chosen to remain silent on the issue.
The row has divided fans and industry observers online. While some defended Ranveer, saying actors often leave projects over creative concerns, others argued that large productions involve huge financial commitments and professionalism must be upheld.
Adding another dimension to the controversy, Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) president Poonam Dhillon criticised both sides for failing to involve the actors’ body earlier.
“We could have tried to resolve the issue in a more amicable way,” she said.
The standoff has also raised concerns over Ranveer’s upcoming projects, including the ambitious films Pralay and a historical epic on Chandragupta Maurya, both of which may face production complications if the dispute continues.
It is not the first time Ranveer has found himself at the centre of public controversy. Last year, he faced backlash after mimicking a ritual sequence from the hit Kannada film Kantara during a film festival event. Critics accused him of disrespecting the cultural significance of the scene.
On May 26, Ranveer visited the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru and offered apologies to the deity, in keeping with his assurance to the Karnataka High Court, reported the Hindustan Times.
In 2015, he was among the celebrities caught up in the fallout from a controversial comedy roast that sparked police reports and a wider debate about obscenity and free speech.
