Indian Film Union Boycotts Ranveer Singh Over Don 3 Exit, Citing £3.4 Million Loss
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a prominent Bollywood workers' association representing thousands of film and television crew members, has taken a firm stance against actor Ranveer Singh. The union's directive, whilst not a formal ban, instructs its members to cease working with Singh until he engages with their representatives to explain his departure from the much-anticipated 'Don 3'.
Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar reportedly lodged a complaint with FWICE, alleging Singh withdrew from the production roughly three weeks prior to the scheduled commencement of filming. This withdrawal occurred after producers had already incurred significant expenditure on preparatory work and overseas logistical arrangements, amounting to an estimated 450 million Indian Rupees (£3.4 million).
FWICE President B.N. Tiwari stated the union repeatedly sought clarification from Singh, but he reportedly declined to respond. Tiwari emphasised the organisation's position: "We've decided to send a message to the industry that a superstar is not bigger than the rules." Reports suggest Singh's team has questioned FWICE's authority to compel his appearance.
This dispute has reignited public discussion surrounding Singh, one of India's most celebrated film stars. The 'Don' franchise, renowned for its charismatic underworld narrative, holds considerable cultural weight, having been popularised by Amitabh Bachchan in 1978 and later rebooted with Shah Rukh Khan. Singh was slated to take the lead in 'Don 3', announced in 2023.
The controversy has elicited divided reactions online. Some social media commentators question whether Singh is being unfairly singled out, highlighting that other actors have previously exited film projects. Conversely, others support the producers, arguing that last-minute withdrawals from large-scale productions disrupt substantial financial commitments and that Singh is now facing consequences for perceived unprofessionalism. Singh previously faced public censure in 2025 for mimicking a ritual sequence from the Kannada film 'Kantara', and in 2015 was embroiled in a controversy surrounding a comedy roast.
