The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has withdrawn its non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh with immediate effect, following interventions by key industry bodies and a legal notice served by the actor .
The decision was announced at a press conference on Wednesday, bringing a sudden pause to a fast-moving industry standoff that had been triggered by Singh’s exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 last December .
Industry bodies intervene
FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed that the rollback came after requests from the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the Producers Guild of India, and the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) .
“We are taking back our non-cooperative directive with immediate effect after a request by IMPPA, the producers’ guild and CINTAA. We have been told that we should all sit together with the producers’ body and take an appropriate decision where neither the producers and directors nor the actor face any issues,” Tiwari told reporters .
The federation clarified that the withdrawal was not a result of pressure. “We’ve not caved under any pressure. We’re a 70-year-old organisation and have received countless legal notices. We just want all parties to expedite the issue and resolve it amicably,” Tiwari said .
Legal notice and response
The development came shortly after Singh served a legal notice to FWICE challenging the non-cooperation directive issued on May 25 . The directive had followed a complaint by Don 3 producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who claimed that Singh’s abrupt exit caused losses of approximately ₹45 crore in pre-production expenses .
While the legal notice has been received, FWICE confirmed it will respond through proper legal channels. “Everyone has a legal team. They have sent us a notice and our legal team will respond. We will continue to deal with the matter legally,” Tiwari told Hindustan Times .
‘No one has won or lost’
FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit reiterated that the federation does not have the authority to impose a ban on any artist, urging the media to avoid using the term “ban” .
“We respect Ranveer Singh and his contribution to the industry. We want this issue to be resolved through conversation,” Pandit said, adding that several industry bodies are now working towards a solution acceptable to all sides .
Tiwari echoed this sentiment, stating, “No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice” .
What triggered the dispute
The controversy began after Singh exited Don 3, a project officially announced with him in the lead role in August 2023 . Reports suggest the actor had grown uncomfortable with script delays, production uncertainty, and reports of alternative casting discussions .
Before the dispute escalated publicly, Singh reportedly attempted a private settlement, offering ₹10 crore upfront and a ₹25 crore discount on a future film collaboration with Excel Entertainment — a proposal that was ultimately rejected .
Way forward
With the non-cooperation directive now withdrawn, industry workers affiliated with FWICE are free to collaborate on Singh’s upcoming projects, including Aditya Dhar’s Chandragupta Maurya and the zombie thriller Pralay .
FWICE has extended an appeal to Singh to engage in dialogue to resolve the remaining issues with Excel Entertainment. “We have good faith in Ranveer Singh. I want his happiness, I want his success and I want the film industry to survive,” Tiwari said .
The legal notice served by Singh will now be addressed by FWICE’s legal department, while industry bodies continue efforts to broker an amicable resolution between the actor and Don 3’s producers .
