Film body's 'ban' order rolls back a week after actor reportedly approaches court over Don 3 dispute

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Tuesday withdrew its non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh, stepping back from a standoff that had drawn significant attention across the Hindi film industry. The rollback came roughly a week after Ranveer reportedly served a legal notice to the federation and moved court over the matter.

Industry Bodies Pushed for Resolution

FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed the withdrawal, saying the decision came after the federation received requests from prominent industry organisations, including the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA). The federation said it would respond to Ranveer's legal notice through appropriate legal channels.

FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit also used the occasion to clarify the federation's actual powers. He urged media outlets to stop using the word "ban," pointing out that FWICE can only advise its members not to work with a particular individual — it has no authority to prevent anyone from working professionally.

How the Dispute Began

The directive, originally issued on May 25, 2026, stemmed from Ranveer Singh's reported exit from Don 3, a high-profile project being produced by Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment. According to sources familiar with the matter, Ranveer stepped away from the film just three weeks before full-scale shooting was set to begin — at a point when pre-production work was nearly complete.

The producers subsequently demanded ₹45 crore in compensation for losses arising from the sudden exit. FWICE, citing the disruption caused to workers and production staff, had then asked all its members to refrain from associating with any of the actor's projects.

Legal Notice Filed Before Withdrawal

Ranveer's team sent a legal notice to the FWICE on June 2, a day before the withdrawal was announced, according to an NDTV report. The specific demands outlined in the notice have not been made public yet. His team also reportedly approached the court over the matter, which appeared to accelerate the federation's decision to reverse course.

Kangana Weighs In

The controversy drew a reaction from actress Kangana Ranaut, who addressed the issue at the trailer launch of her upcoming film Bharat Bhagya Vidhata on Tuesday. Asked about the episode, she drew parallels with her own experience of being on the receiving end of similar industry pressure.

"Everyone has banned me. I would just like to say that when your status grows, your enemies also grow," she said. Referring to Ranveer without naming him directly, she added that facing opposition is often a sign of progress. "So much has happened with me, but look, today I am doing good work. My career is also going well. So these things don't make any difference."

Bharat Bhagya Vidhata is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 12, 2026.

What Comes Next

With the directive now withdrawn, the immediate professional threat to Ranveer Singh's projects has been lifted. However, the legal proceedings — both the notice sent by his team and FWICE's stated intention to respond through courts — suggest the underlying dispute over Don 3 is far from settled.

The Don 3 compensation claim of ₹45 crore remains unresolved, and industry watchers will be tracking whether the matter heads toward arbitration or a negotiated settlement between the actor and Excel Entertainment.