Ranveer Singh. Pics/Instagram, By Special Arrangement

As FWICE issues non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh in ‘Don 3’ case, sources say actor’s ‘Pralay’ could roll with non-FWICE technicians; producers may unite to challenge cine body’s decision
Upala KBR, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 27, 2026)

What will be the fate of Ranveer Singh’s movies in the pipeline? That was the big question in the Hindi film industry after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), on May 25, announced a non-cooperation directive against the actor in relation to producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s complaint that he had abruptly exited Don 3 and allegedly caused significant financial losses to the project. The directive is likely to affect Singh’s slate, which has the ambitious zombie thriller Pralay and Aditya Dhar’s next on Chandragupta Maurya.

All eyes on ‘Pralay’
Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta, is slated to roll in August. Trade insiders say that the film — produced by Singh’s Maa Kasam Films, Hansal Mehta’s True Story Films, and Birla Studios — will involve nearly 500 technicians and workers across departments including action, lighting, costumes, make-up, art direction, and spot staff. Considering 34 vendor associations fall under the FWICE, the non-cooperation directive threatens to disrupt the film’s schedules. mid-day contacted Hansal and Jai for a comment on the film’s probable delay, but they didn’t respond till press time.

A source from the production, however, told mid-day that the directive would do more harm than good. “In the Hindi film industry, where over 70 per cent of the daily wage earners are already out of work because not many films are being made, shouldn’t the FWICE allow them to work instead of taking opportunities away with this directive? As for Pralay, in the worst-case scenario, Ranveer can take the cast and crew, and shoot the movie anywhere in India. While the FWICE’s stand applies to all of its members, it cannot legally stop non-members from working. If Pralay is shot outside Mumbai, the makers may bypass the FWICE-affiliated workers by hiring local crew members belonging to other unions,” said the source.

‘Directive is effective’
Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor, FWICE, is confident that the directive issued is the right approach in light of the situation. That said, the cine body is open to a resolution between Singh and Don 3 makers. When mid-day reached out to him, Pandit said, “The FWICE directive is effective because our federation has 34 vendor associations under it. If they don’t have vendors, workers, and technicians, who will they shoot with? People underestimate the strength of the federation. The situation can only be resolved if everybody sits together and sorts it out amicably.”

Next stop: CCI?
Sources indicate that producers of Singh’s upcoming projects may approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against the FWICE’s directive. In a 2017 case filed by filmmaker Vipul A Shah, the CCI held that practices such as issuing non-cooperation directives, preventing producers from hiring non-members, stalling shoots, and restricting the supply of services amounted to anti-competitive conduct under the Competition Act. A producer associated with one of Singh’s upcoming films said, on condition of anonymity, “If this situation escalates further, producers may collectively approach the commission for intervention.”

Ranveer Singh’s other films:
Chandragupta Maurya project, to be directed by Aditya Dhar and backed by Jio Studios. He is said to be in talks with YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra for a film
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Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 27, 2026)

Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against actor Ranveer Singh amid his reported fallout with filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani over his exit from Don 3. The directive, issued on Monday, bars FWICE-affiliated technicians and workers from working with the actor until the issue is resolved.

At a press con, FWICE honorary general secretary Ashok Dubey said, “An artiste becomes an artiste because of the people, because of the members who work with us, the technicians, those who watch the movies. You leave a film which many people have worked on for three years. We wrote a letter to you but there was no reply so no member from FWICE will work with you.”

Following the press con, the actor’s team issued a statement: “Ranveer Singh holds the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise. 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.

Speaking to us, FWICE president Birendra Nath Tiwari says, “Producers humare saath hi milke Ranveer se baat karna chahte hain. Federation stands with justice and my duty is that this matter gets resolved.”

The NCD could affect Ranveer’s upcoming projects, including Hansal Mehta’s Pralay. “Shooting toh usko rokna padega. Abhi unka set lagne waala hai wo nahin lagega. Humne bol diya sabko,” he adds, insisting that FWICE was not “punishing” the actor but seeking dialogue.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta reacted to the row on X: “When an A List Hero shoots there are more than 300 workers working on sets. Ban him and you are not stopping him but depriving the workers of their livelihood. What sense does it even make?”