Mumbai: Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has come out in support of actor Ranveer Singh amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his exit from the upcoming film Don 3. Varma criticised the action taken by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and argued that the industry body should be questioned instead of the actor.

The controversy began after producers associated with Don 3 reportedly raised concerns over Ranveer Singh’s departure from the project. Following a complaint by the film’s makers, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor, urging members of the film industry not to work with him until the dispute is resolved.

Ram Gopal Varma criticises FWICE action

Reacting strongly to the development, Ram Gopal Varma took to social media platform X and questioned the authority of FWICE to impose such restrictions.

According to Varma, the federation’s action reflects an outdated system attempting to maintain influence over the film industry. He described the move as “performative muscle-flexing” and suggested that the organisation lacks the legal authority to determine disputes between artists and production houses.

The filmmaker argued that many workers represented by FWICE may not be fully aware of the details surrounding the disagreement between Ranveer Singh and the producers of Don 3. He further stated that industry disputes should be resolved through proper legal channels rather than through directives issued by associations.

Varma says stars drive industry employment

Varma emphasised that leading actors contribute significantly to the film industry’s ecosystem by generating employment opportunities across multiple departments.

In his remarks, he suggested that Ranveer Singh remains one of the most sought-after actors in the industry and that many producers would still be willing to collaborate with him despite the ongoing controversy.

The filmmaker also alleged that FWICE was acting beyond its mandate by taking a position in a commercial dispute, adding that such actions could undermine established legal processes.

Don 3 controversy gains industry attention

The dispute has attracted widespread attention within Bollywood due to the scale of the Don franchise and Ranveer Singh’s prominence in the industry.

Don 3, directed by Farhan Akhtar, was expected to mark a new chapter in the popular action franchise. However, reports of disagreements between the actor and the production team have led to uncertainty regarding the film’s future casting and production plans.

Neither Ranveer Singh nor the makers have publicly provided detailed comments regarding the reasons behind the reported fallout.

Ranveer Singh’s upcoming projects

Despite the controversy, Ranveer Singh continues to remain active on the professional front. The actor was recently seen in Dhurandhar 2, where he reprised his role as Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi.

The film, produced by Jio Studios and Aditya Dhar Films, was released in theatres earlier this year. Reports suggest that an extended version of the film will begin streaming in June.

Ranveer is also reportedly associated with Pralay, a project being directed by Jai Mehta, although an official announcement regarding the film is still awaited.

Conclusion

The Ranveer Singh-Don 3 dispute has sparked debate within the film industry about the role and authority of industry bodies in resolving commercial disagreements. With Ram Gopal Varma openly backing the actor and criticising FWICE’s stance, the controversy is likely to remain in focus until a formal resolution is reached between all parties involved.