FWICE takes a step back

FWICE withdraws its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh after industry mediation and the actor’s legal notice

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Wednesday withdrew its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh following a legal notice from the actor over the controversy surrounding his exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3.

The decision came after intervention from the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the Producers Guild of India (PGI) and the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA).

“We are withdrawing our non-cooperation directive with immediate effect following a request from IMPPA, the Producers Guild and CINTAA. We have been advised to sit together with the producers’ body and arrive at an appropriate solution where neither the producers, directors nor the actor faces any issues,” FWICE president B.N. Tiwari said.

“No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice,” he added.

The non-cooperation directive was issued against Singh on May 25 after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani filed a complaint with the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), which later referred the matter to FWICE.

A complete timeline of the Don 3 controversy

August 2023: Ranveer Singh was announced as the new lead of Don 3, replacing Shah Rukh Khan in the franchise.

April 11, 2026: Don 3 producer and director Farhan Akhtar reportedly filed a complaint with industry bodies, alleging that Ranveer had exited the film after extensive pre-production work had already begun.

April–May 2026: FWICE sent multiple notices to Ranveer Singh, asking him to appear 

before the federation and explain his position 

regarding his exit from Don 3.

May 25, 2026: FWICE issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Ranveer Singh, asking its affiliated members not to work with the actor until the dispute was resolved. 

May 25, 2026: Ranveer Singh issued his first response through a spokesperson, stating that he respected the film fraternity and believed professional disputes should be handled with dignity and mutual respect.

Late May 2026: The controversy sparked a debate within the film industry over whether a federation could effectively prevent an actor from working.

June 2, 2026: Ranveer Singh sent a legal notice to FWICE challenging the non-cooperation directive and objecting to the federation’s actions.

June 3, 2026: Following mediation efforts by the Producers Guild, CINTAA and other industry stakeholders, FWICE withdrew its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh with immediate effect.