‘Don 3’ Row: ‘Dhurandhar’ Star Ranveer Singh BANNED by Film Body Amid Dispute With Farhan Akhtar
Actor Ranveer Singh has been hit with a non-cooperation directive by the FWICE following his sudden exit from Farhan Akhtar's 'Don 3' due to creative differences. The film body's ban comes after production house Excel Entertainment filed a formal complaint demanding INR 40 to INR 45 crore in compensation for severe financial losses.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has officially issued a non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh following an escalating dispute over his abrupt departure from the highly anticipated film Don 3, directed by Farhan Akhtar. The major industry body announced the decision on May 25, 2025, during a press conference in Mumbai held after a crucial internal meeting. The directive effectively acts as a ban, instructing members of the film industry to refrain from collaborating with the actor until the ongoing financial and contractual dispute with the film's producers is resolved. Ranveer Singh Banned: FWICE Issues Non-Cooperation Directive Against Bollywood Star After Don 3 Exit Drama.
Ranveer Singh Banned by Film Workers’ Body After ‘Don 3’ Exit
The trade body’s intervention comes after Excel Entertainment, the production banner helmed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, filed a formal complaint against Singh through the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA). FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit labelled the situation grave, heavily criticising a growing trend of high-profile actors abandoning projects immediately prior to the commencement of filming.
"It's a very serious matter, and this trend is very wrong," Pandit stated. "You can't withdraw from a project ten days before the shoot starts. Whatever we will do, we will do it in the interest of the industry."
Script Disputes and a Demanded INR 45 Crore Settlement
The friction between the actor and the production house reportedly began when Singh unexpectedly walked away from the project. According to industry insiders, the dispute stemmed from disagreement over last-minute script changes and differences regarding the overall creative direction of the action franchise.
Excel Entertainment alleged that Singh’s exit caused severe scheduling setbacks and heavy financial losses, claiming that substantial investments had already been made during an extensive pre-production phase that had been approved by the actor. The production house is reportedly demanding a compensation package between INR 40 crore and INR 45 crore to cover these sunk expenses.
Prior to FWICE’s ruling, the matter was taken to the Producers Guild of India, where senior industry figures attempted to mediate. However, those initial talks failed to reach a final agreement, prompting Akhtar to take formal legal and regulatory steps through the cine union.
Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ Success and ‘Don 3’ Exit
The controversy around Don 3 has intensified due to the timing of the fallout. Singh had been attached to headline the iconic franchise previously led by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan for nearly two years. However, his abrupt departure from Don 3 in December 2025 came right on the heels of the massive box office success of his film Dhurandhar, the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller.
Trade analysts suggest that the immense commercial momentum and critical acclaim of Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2 (Dhurandhar: The Revenge), which rapidly emerged as one of the highest-grossing films in Indian cinema history, led the actor to begin heavily reassessing his future project choices and scheduling availability.
Farhan Akhtar on Ranveer Singh's 'Don 3' Exit
Addressing the ongoing conflict publicly in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, director Farhan Akhtar expressed the emotional and professional strain caused by the sudden disruption. "What I've learnt is expect the unexpected," Akhtar said. "You can't take anything for granted until it's on film." ‘Don 3’ Row: FWICE’s Ashoke Pandit Reacts to Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar’s Casting Dispute, Says ‘This Trend Is Very Wrong’.
Representatives for Ranveer Singh have not yet issued an official statement regarding the FWICE non-cooperation order or the demanded financial compensation.
'Dhurandhar 2' Box Office Collection
As of May 2026, the Dhurandhar 2 box office collection worldwide total stands between INR 1,700 to INR 1,800 crore.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 25, 2026 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).