Ranveer Singh’s First Reaction Following Shocking FWICE Ban Over ‘Don 3’ Dispute
Ranveer Singh was spotted at the Mumbai airport, hours after FWICE announced it was boycotting him. Prior to this, his spokesperson had issued a statement.
The Bollywood industry was sent into a tailspin on Monday when the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a severe Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against superstar Ranveer Singh. The shadow ban, effectively urging the entire film fraternity to boycott the actor, stems from his abrupt and highly publicized exit from Farhan Akhtar's much-awaited ‘Don 3’. Now, in the wake of the industry-shaking directive, Ranveer Singh has stepped out in public for the first time, while his team has officially fired back with a formal statement.
Hours after the FWICE announced the boycott, Ranveer Singh was spotted late Monday night at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Keeping a low profile amidst the storm, the actor was dressed in a crisp white kurta-pyjama layered with a Nehru jacket. Hiding his face behind a black mask and sunglasses, Ranveer bypassed the clamouring paparazzi. Surrounded by tight security, he walked straight ahead, refusing to pose or answer questions as he flew out of the city.
While the actor let his silence do the talking at the airport, his official spokesperson released a statement addressing the escalating feud. "Ranveer Singh holds the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise," the statement read.
His team emphasized that his silence up to this point was a conscious choice, adding that, “Throughout the recent developments surrounding Don 3, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect. While several narratives and speculations have surfaced over time, Ranveer has never considered it necessary to respond publicly or contribute to conjecture. His focus remains firmly on his work and the commitments ahead.”
“He continues to hold deep respect and goodwill for all those involved and sincerely wishes the franchise continued success. Choosing restraint and grace in moments like these has always been a conscious decision on his part, and he will continue to maintain the same stance,” the statement concluded.
This measured response follows an email from Ranveer's team to the FWICE, in which the actor argued that the workers' federation was not the "appropriate forum" to intervene in contractual matters, questioning their jurisdiction over the dispute.
The conflict dates back to late 2025. Following the massive success of Ranveer's film ‘Dhurandhar’ (directed by Aditya Dhar), reports surfaced in December that he had abruptly walked out of the ‘Don 3’ project. According to FWICE Chief Advisor and IFTDA President Ashok Pandit, the withdrawal happened a mere three weeks before the shooting unit was scheduled to depart.
On April 11, 2026, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar formally escalated the matter to the FWICE, doing so only after the Producers Guild of India advised both parties to seek an amicable resolution rather than pursuing legal action. During a detailed two-hour hearing – with Ritesh Sidhwani present and Farhan Akhtar joining virtually from London – Excel Entertainment reported massive financial damages. The producers revealed they had already sunk Rs 45 crore into the film's pre-production, funds that are fully audited and accounted for.
Despite FWICE sending reminders every 10 to 15 days and issuing three formal notices, Ranveer reportedly did not present his side to the federation in person. This lack of participation led FWICE President BN Tiwari to immediately enforce the non-cooperation directive, appealing to all producers and associations to stand united.
"When a film is made, thousands of workers get employment. When a film suddenly stops, junior artists and daily wage workers also suffer financial losses," BN Tiwari stated, reminding the industry that stardom does not grant immunity. "A strong message needs to be sent to the industry, even if someone is a superstar, they are not above the rules and regulations."
As the directive goes into effect, the future of ‘Don 3’ – which was first announced in August 2023 to carry on the legacy of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan – remains in jeopardy. However, sources suggest that all parties remain open to resolving the dispute across the table in hopes of eventually restarting the stalled project without further losses.
