The ongoing dispute between actor Ranveer Singh and the makers of the film Don 3 has captured significant media attention, particularly after the Federation
of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against him. Although this directive was later rescinded, the controversy remains a hot topic within the film industry. Ashoke Pandit, chief adviser of FWICE, has recently shed light on the situation, revealing that several prominent figures, including Aamir Khan, attempted to mediate the conflict before it escalated to the federation. In an interview with Hindi Rush, Pandit explained that the issue arose when a producer and director approached FWICE with a formal complaint regarding the project. They alleged that approximately Rs 45 crore had already been invested in pre-production, and they were poised to begin filming when Ranveer reportedly exited the project just weeks before shooting was scheduled to start. This abrupt departure raised concerns among the filmmakers, prompting them to seek intervention from the federation. Pandit further elaborated that FWICE reached out to Ranveer to gather his perspective on the matter but received no response for nearly one and a half months, despite sending multiple reminders. He noted that the federation reviewed the documentation provided by the actor's auditors. Just as FWICE was preparing to announce the non-cooperation directive, they received an email indicating that two representatives from Ranveer's team would meet with them, which added complexity to the situation. While FWICE ultimately decided to issue the non-cooperation directive, Pandit clarified that the federation did not impose a ban on the actor. He emphasised the importance of accountability in the industry, stating that no individual, regardless of their role, should be allowed to abandon a committed project without facing repercussions. He remarked, "If it was someone else, they would have gone to hell. They would have sold their house," underscoring the financial implications of such decisions. The Don 3 controversy took a notable turn last month when FWICE withdrew its non-cooperation directive following discussions among producers and industry organisations. The conflict initially arose after reports indicated that Ranveer had stepped away from the film, which is the latest installment in the popular franchise, succeeding Shah Rukh Khan. As the situation unfolded, it became clear that the actor's exit had significant financial repercussions, with losses estimated at around ₹45 crore, prompting intervention from various industry bodies to resolve the matter amicably.
