Ranveer Singh Banned by FWICE Over Don 3 Exit, Akhtar Seeks Damages

In a significant development shaking the Indian film industry, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been officially banned by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) due to an escalating dispute over his sudden exit from the highly anticipated film 'Don 3'. The decision, announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by FWICE, comes after filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar and his production house, Excel Entertainment (co-led with Ritesh Sidhwani), filed a formal complaint regarding Singh's departure. The non-cooperation directive issued by FWICE instructs members of the film industry to refrain from collaborating with Ranveer Singh until the dispute is resolved. This measure highlights the seriousness with which the film body views the incident, emphasizing the need to curb actors abandoning projects at crucial stages, which causes significant disruption and financial losses to production houses. The controversy traces back over five months, with Ranveer Singh reportedly walking out of 'Don 3' in December 2025. He had been signed on to headline the project for several years, taking over the iconic role previously portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Singh's stated reason for his departure was dissatisfaction with script changes and creative differences. His exit came shortly after the box office success of his film 'Dhurandhar', which was released on December 5, 2025. Excel Entertainment, however, alleged that Singh's last-minute withdrawal caused substantial financial and scheduling disruptions during the film's pre-production phase. The production house claimed to have invested significantly in development costs, including location scouting, recce, scheduling, and budgeting, before Singh's exit. Consequently, Farhan Akhtar's banner reportedly sought compensation. While the article being verified states a demand of Rs 45 crore in damages, many other prominent Indian media outlets, including The Times of India, Mint, and The Siasat Daily, reported the figure as Rs 40 crore. Ranveer Singh, however, has reportedly contested the compensation claim, arguing that he is not liable to pay, as he never received any advance payment for the film. Sources indicated that Singh maintained it is the "nature of the business" for projects to be shelved or delayed, and actors are often not compensated in such scenarios. He also reportedly referenced past instances, including the possibility of Shah Rukh Khan's involvement in 'Don 3', suggesting he would have been replaced without compensation if Khan had agreed to the role. The dispute was initially brought before the Producers Guild of India for mediation. However, reports suggest that the Guild was unable to resolve the issue as neither party was willing to compromise and subsequently advised both sides to seek legal recourse. Following this, Farhan Akhtar escalated the matter by lodging a formal complaint with FWICE through the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), leading to the current ban. FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit reportedly criticized the growing trend of actors abandoning projects right before filming, labeling the situation as grave. The federation emphasized its role in maintaining a stable working environment within the industry, where collective contributions are vital for project creation. The ban's implications are significant, potentially affecting Ranveer Singh's upcoming projects and future collaborations within the industry. There were also unverified reports of Excel Entertainment reaching out to studios backing Ranveer Singh's other film, 'Pralay', to hold funding, though this was later clarified as unresolved. The future of 'Don 3' remains uncertain amidst these developments. While there were rumors of other actors, such as Hrithik Roshan, being considered for the role after Singh's exit, Roshan himself categorically denied any involvement. As of now, neither Ranveer Singh nor Farhan Akhtar has issued a detailed official statement addressing the ban or the ongoing dispute, though the issue continues to be a major talking point in Bollywood.

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