Despite the accolades and decades of experience, actor and director Ananth Mahadevan says he is often overlooked for roles that he believes are tailor-made for him. The latest disappointment? The Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Governor.

After playing RBI governor S Venkitaramanan in Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020), Mahadevan earned widespread praise. Yet, when casting began for A Ramanan — a character reportedly inspired by S Venkitaramanan — nobody approached him.

“When Scam 1992 came out, Manoj was one of the first persons to acknowledge my performance on social media, before Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shahid Kapoor. I would have given the role an edge and looked like the character of the Governor, had I been given the chance,” laments Mahadevan. He adds that filmmakers today often “lack maturity” in their thinking.

While Bajpayee may enjoy greater popularity, Mahadevan argues that both actors are ultimately valued for their craft. “Manoj may be a more popular star than me but he has a different grade of popularity. He is not in the rat race, as he himself admits. If they had got Kamal Haasan to play that part, I would have been fine with it.”

The actor says this isn’t the first time he has been sidelined. He recalls messaging director Neeraj Pandey about the R D Burman biopic with photographs, only to receive no response. “Maybe because they wanted more commercial options,” he says.

“If they had taken a Bengali actor who looked like the music director, that would have been alright. I have nothing against Farhan Akhtar, his father [Javed Akhtar] is a dear friend, but if I was making the film, would I cast Farhan? No.”

- ‘Thiruda Thiruda’ (1993): Mahadevan says director Mani Ratnam had initially considered him for the CBI inspector’s role, which eventually went to SP Balasubrahmanyam.

- ‘Halo’ (1996): He says cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan had approached him for a father’s role, but filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi ultimately played the part.

Ranveer Singh’s Don 3 controversy is far from abating. After the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) announced at the June 3 press conference that it is withdrawing its non-cooperation directive against the actor with immediate effect, mid-day has learnt that the Producers Guild of India is stepping in again to resolve the dispute between the superstar and producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

The Guild is expected to hold another round of discussions in the coming weeks. When mid-day reached out to Manish Goswami, vice-president, Guild, he refrained from putting a timeline to it, but agreed that the body will reconvene to resolve the issue that sparked when Singh apparently exited Don 3, to be directed by Akhtar, weeks before it was to roll.

“The Guild is yet to formally table the deal. From here, it can go two ways. We encourage an amicable resolution and hope the parties can resolve the matter through dialogue. But there is always the court route, if that falls through,” said Goswami.

The Guild’s meetings are expected to focus not only on resolving the current conflict, but also on establishing clearer industry protocols around actor commitments and safeguarding producers’ interests.

Meanwhile, sources, who worked on Don 3, revealed that Excel Entertainment — which alleged a loss of Rs. 45 crore due to Singh’s exit — made payments to all associated with the project. “All payments were cleared last month. To ensure there’s not another instance of loss of livelihood for technicians, we hope this incident changes things for good,” said a source.

On June 3, in a press conference, FWICE announced the withdrawal of its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh. Earlier in the week, the actor reportedly served a legal notice to the cine body against its non-cooperation directive. FWICE President Birendra Nath Tiwari said at the presser, “On behalf of the Federation, we would like to request Ranveer Singh to come and sit with us… No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice.”

FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit said the decision was taken following requests from other cine bodies.

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We all adore Ranveer Singh; we might not all be fans, but in an industry full of leading men who took themselves too seriously, he was a breath of fresh air. His knowledge of obscure movies and songs, his kitschy fashion sense made him relatable and interesting. Other stars were a little too “polished” and reserved. Enter Singh, who broke out into songs mid interviews, wore eye-watering pink suits, and said and did whatever he wanted.

But his wilfulness has earned the ire of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which recently put out a non-cooperation directive against the actor after he pulled out of Don 3’s production. The May 25 notice requested around 38 different artist associations and unions to boycott any projects linked to Singh, and all hell broke loose.

In media reports, many have alleged that this is a tactic to get Singh to pay out the Rs 45 crore already invested in Don 3’s pre-production by Excel Entertainment and its owners, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. Industry stakeholders, though, insist that the real motive is to send a message: it’s high time that stars understand they cannot exit a project willy-nilly.

Either way, though, it’s the last rung of Bollywood that will suffer the most. Hundreds of technicians who committed their time and expertise to Don 3 have now lost weeks of work because of this mess. And even if FWICE’s boycott is carried out, once again, it’s technicians who will lose out on paying work.

“Throughout the recent developments surrounding Don 3, he [Ranveer Singh] 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. 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 Cine Costume Make-up Artiste and Hair Association was established in 1951 and has grown to a 7000-strong membership, including almost every kind of artiste who works in Bollywood. The union head, Sharad Shelar, aka Sharad dada, is a senior spot dada who has worked with every actor one can imagine. He explains why Singh backing out of a mega project like Don 3 hits all the technicians attached to the film.

“Usually when actors as big as Ranveer [Singh] back out of projects, the film is shelved in its entirety. So let’s say a technician would have worked on that film for three months — he now has to look for a job to compensate for the lost income. And jobs in the industry have become scarce anyway because such big-budget movies are not made often anymore.”

Shelar is angry about the non-cooperation directive issued by FWICE, and alleges that none of the unions under the federation were consulted before the call was taken. “There are 38 registered unions under FWICE, my union alone has 7000 people. None of these producers or guild members spoke to us even once before banning Ranveer. There are no big movies being made that employ technicians by the dozens, and now they are asking us not to pick up some work we might get here and there also? We do not have that luxury,” he says. 

“The situation now is so bad that workers are beating each other up to get work for the day. If I say I will take Rs 100, another worker says he will work for Rs 50,” he rues, “Paristhiti itki vait aahe ki technician ekamekana panas rupe saathi martaath (Things are so bad, we’re beating each other up over Rs 50 work).” Then there are veterans who are masters of their craft, who refuse to squabble over pennies and end up jobless, he adds.  

Shelar, who turned 71 this year, tells us that associations like theirs have helped artistes with funds in medical emergencies, post retirement and even during weddings. But producers are nowhere to be found during their time of need.

Shelar says that he recently visited a movie set in Goa and realized that hardly any of the technicians were members of federations. “So they will not fight for us when big production houses employ, say, just five out of 25 technicians from unions. Then they’ll turn around and say don’t work with so-and-so artiste?” he asks.

The problem with such non-cooperation directives is that the daily worker really suffers. Ranveer and the directors/production house will not have much of a dent in their income, or they might make up for the loss somewhere else. But the technician can’t do that.

At a time when the film industry is in such dire financial conditions, we must keep our egos aside and work together. I hope the producers and Ranveer come to an understanding soon and the already struggling industry doesn’t take this unnecessary hit. Also, Don sabh ko dekhni thi (We all were looking forward to watching the movie)!”  

The top rungs of the industry don’t really get how bad things are for the last rungs of the industry right now. They are struggling to eat, pay rent, buy essentials, and now this non-cooperation directive will hit them too. The movie producers and star will move on from this, but they’re completely detached from the reality of how it will impact everyone else.

- Aditya Kriplani, Actor, director-producer

Ashoke Pandit, the head of FWICE, says that the trend of artistes pulling out from projects has been going on for too long. He hopes that practice will end once they draft an SOP on the time frame within which an artiste can back out of a project in good faith.

“It’s not about going against Ranveer Singh; we have seen this trend happening too often. Last month, I had a case where an assistant director and four people in their team told the producer at the last minute — just before they were to board a flight to the shoot location — that they were dropping out of the production,” he says. 

“We are currently in talks with all four  producer bodies, The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Producers Guild of India and Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA) Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), and we are trying to bring in some guidelines that will ensure accountability of not just actors, but anyone including a producer commits to an actor but drops them at the very last minute,” says Pandit.

As of now, the industry does not have any official guidelines on this issue. The lack of regulation is hurting the industry at a time when it is barely hanging on by a thread. “In the case of Don 3, the shoot was to begin, workers were flying in, hotel rooms had been booked. When an actor commits to a project in good faith, the production house takes their word for it and covers these pre-production costs. Excel [Entertainment] spent Rs 45 crore on this,” he adds.

Hirani & Associates is a full-service law firm in Bandra, specializing in IP, Media & Entertainment, and litigation advisory. The firm serves top-tier clients, including leading production houses, A-list talent, and international music labels. Founder Lavin Hirani has over 15 years of experience in India’s media and entertainment sector and has had clients such as Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Deol, and Rana Daggubati, as well as major studios and streaming platforms.

On the Ranveer Singh–Don 3 dispute, Hirani says cases of this kind are not new to the industry, but that the sequence of events matters. “From what I understand, the film was announced in 2023 and stayed largely dormant for a long stretch. After Dhurandhar released and performed strongly, Ranveer exited the project,” he says.

“We don’t know precisely what happened. There are reports of creative differences, and the timing is worth noting, coming soon after a commercially successful release,” he adds. 

On the FWICE directive itself, Hirani is careful to separate what it is from what it can do. “A non-cooperation directive is not legally binding, and it is not a ban,” he says. “In practice it can create pressure toward a settlement and complicate an actor’s future productions, but it carries no force of law,” he adds. 

He also clarifies how the matter reached FWICE. “Going by FWICE’s own account, the directive did not originate from a complaint by Excel Entertainment directly. The grievance was filed by Farhan Akhtar, the director of Don 3, before the Indian Film and Television Directors Association, which then forwarded it to FWICE. The producers cited pre-production losses.”

Hirani notes the dynamic can run the other way too. “There are also cases where producers drop actors once a bigger star becomes available, and little is said about the effect on the actor who is let go,” he says. “As a general industry pattern, you also see actors keep more than one producer waiting before committing. These tensions are not one-sided.” 

He draws a structural contrast with Hollywood. “There, producers cannot hire outside the guild, and the guild disciplines producers who refuse to sign union contracts. Here, a federation is disciplining the actor for leaving a film. That inversion is structurally unusual rather than standard practice,” he observes.

On what follows if an actor is said to have breached, Hirani is precise about the remedies. “People loosely call it ‘specific performance,’ but a court will generally not order specific performance of a personal-service contract — you cannot compel an actor to perform,” he says.

“Occasionally a court may grant a narrow negative injunction restraining the actor from taking up competing work for the term of the contract, but that is rarely granted and tightly limited. In most cases the producer’s realistic remedy is a claim for damages.” He expects one of two outcomes. “Either a settlement that closes the matter, or litigation that does not.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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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The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against actor Ranveer Singh following his alleged last-minute exit from Don 3. The move comes after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar (director and producer of Don 3, alongside producer Ritesh Sidhwani) approached the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) on April 2, after which the matter was referred to FWICE for intervention. The federation said it had taken serious cognizance of the matter while remaining open to an amicable resolution.

Addressing the media at a press conference on Monday, attended by President Birendra Nath Tiwari, Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, Honorary General Secretary Ashok Dubey and Treasurer Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, the federation announced that none of its members or allied unions would work with the actor until the matter is resolved.

Detailing the sequence of events, Ashoke Pandit said, “As the head of IFTDA, I referred the matter to FWICE because it is a serious issue and involves significant financial stakes. We wanted all technician bodies/allied unions and associations to be involved because when a project stops, everyone is affected. The reason for Ranveer Singh’s exit was not disclosed, and we did not inquire into it because our primary concern was the timing of the withdrawal.”

Ashoke further revealed that the producers had already incurred substantial costs towards pre-production. “The production house has spent around Rs. 45 crore on pre-production. Ranveer signed a three-film deal with the producers and the entire recce of Don 3 was conducted in his presence. He was actively involved in script discussions, creative decisions, costume planning and other aspects of the project. He even shot the promo and remained part of discussions regarding the film after the release of Dhurandhar Part 1. Leaving a film three weeks before the shoot cannot be justified, irrespective of the reason.”

He continued, “Kal ko koi bada director film chhod de toh? That is the issue we want to address. It is not a question of a signing amount because paisa isne ek bhi nahi liya hai.”

According to Ashoke, the federation made multiple attempts to reach out to Ranveer before taking a decision.

He said, “As per protocol, we invited Ranveer three times to present his side, but did not receive any response. After we announced the press conference, we received a mail stating that the federation does not fall within the jurisdiction of this issue. Later, we received another email from his team expressing willingness to discuss the matter. We are open to discussions, but we want to meet him directly just as we met Farhan and Ritesh.”

On the producers’ demand, he added, “The aggrieved party is seeking compensation for the approximately Rs. 45 crore spent on pre-production. Their position is that it is okay if Ranveer is not doing the film, but the expenditure incurred on the project should be returned.”

Explaining the federation’s stand, Birendra Nath Tiwari said, “We have issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer. Ek message jaana chahiye industry ko ki agar koi superstar bhi hai woh kisi niyam se bada nahi hai. No member or federation associated with us will work with him until the matter is resolved. We are not saying he cannot work; we are only saying our members will not work with him for now. His team wrote to us stating that the federation does not have jurisdiction in the matter. Unko pata nahi federation bhi koi cheez hai. We are open to meeting Ranveer directly and not through any representative. Aap bhi hamaari industry ka hissa hain, aasmaan se nahi aaye hain. No superstar is above the rules of the industry.”

The directive extends to future projects as well. “We have discussed the matter with allied unions and taken a united stand. Spot boy se lekar bouncers tak kaam nahi karenge unke saath. Aaj jo Farhan ke saath hua hai woh kisi aur ke saath bhi ho sakta hai. We would react in a similar manner if a producer were to remove an actor or technician at the last minute. Once locations and production logistics are locked, one cannot step away from a project at the last minute. Responsibility is expected at every level,” he added.

Ashoke added, “The federation has no personal enmity against anyone. However, in the interest of the industry, we will not accept or overlook such disruptions. We stand committed to protecting those who keep the industry running and ensuring sustained job opportunities for technicians, workers and all crafts associated with filmmaking. The industry can only function collectively; it cannot be sustained individually. We must sit together and find solutions. We have celebrated Ranveer’s stardom, but accountability is equally important.”

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, however, criticized the move on X, writing, “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 (sic)???”

After signing for Don 3, Ranveer abruptly walked out in December 2025, only three weeks before the scheduled shooting of the film, leading to audited losses of approximately Rs. 45 crore for Excel Entertainment. The producers demanded reimbursement for these pre-production expenses. Following a failed mediation attempt, the dispute was elevated to the FWICE. Ranveer reportedly didn’t respond to three formal notices from the federation, with his team arguing that FWICE lacked jurisdiction over his contractual matters. Later, Ranveer’s team agreed to discuss the matter with the film body.

Soon after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Ranveer Singh, 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. 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.”

The statement further added, “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.”

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker’s next has become one of the most talked about projects in the industry, and for good reason. It sees the director reunite with Aamir Khan over two decades after their classic ‘Lagaan’ (2001).

Now, word is that Farhan Akhtar may have a special appearance in the film that is set against the backdrop of India’s Partition and will chronicle the life of Lala Amarnath, independent India’s first cricket captain.

Akhtar has been attached to the project as a producer, along with Aamir Khan Productions. But he is not ruling out the possibility of stepping in front of the camera. 

A source told mid-day that he is likely to slip into the role of a celebrated Pakistani cricketer. “Even though it’s an extended cameo, Farhan’s role is emotionally pivotal to the narrative. He plays Lala Amarnath’s close friend, who remains in Pakistan after the Partition. The film isn’t just about cricket; it’s about friendship during one of the most turbulent moments in the subcontinent’s history. Ashutosh has asked Farhan to consider the role, but it’s not locked yet,” shared a source.

With the unresolved feud between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment), over Don 3 continuing to escalate, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) is now set to take a call on the matter. A crucial internal meeting involving FWICE President, Birendra Nath Tiwari, Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, along with Hon General Secretary, Ashok Dubey and Treasurer, Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, is expected to take place today which could determine the future course of the film.

Before reaching FWICE, a few months ago, the dispute was also discussed at the Producers Guild of India, where several senior producers reportedly attempted to mediate and resolve the matter amicably.

Post the internal meeting today, a press conference will be held announcing the federation’s decision. When Bombay Times reached out to Ashoke Pandit, he told us, “It’s a very serious matter, and this trend is very wrong. We are having an internal meeting first, and then we will be taking a call.”

He added, “We will not allow the industry to be doomed. Whatever we will do, it will be in the interest of the industry.”

The Don 3 controversy erupted after reports claimed Ranveer Singh had stepped away from the film shortly before the shoot was set to begin, leading to a dispute between him and the makers.

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Almost five months after Ranveer Singh exited ‘Don 3’ leading to a row with producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the matter is expected to reach its resolution on May 25. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), whom filmmaker Akhtar had approached when the dispute reached a head, will announce its decision at 4 pm on Monday after its final meeting at 2:30 pm. Industry insiders have told mid-day that the body conducted two meetings with Singh and the makers over the past week.

An insider present at the discussions revealed that the conversations focused on the larger issue of stars walking out of projects at the last minute. “Everybody agreed that this cannot become a pattern. Not every film will become a blockbuster like ‘Dhurandhar’ [2025]. If actors begin exiting projects days before schedules begin, smaller producers will collapse under the pressure,” shared the insider.

Singh, who was attached to ‘Don 3’ since its announcement in 2024, walked out the film in January. Akhtar reportedly filed a legal suit against the actor and approached the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) in April, alleging that nearly R46 crore had been spent on ‘Don 3’ prep. A source revealed, “After three reminders, Ranveer’s team eventually responded over e-mail saying the matter was not within the association’s purview.”

According to sources, FWICE’s decision on May 25 could also see the body announcing the introduction of a formal framework to discourage abrupt exits by talent.

From the outside, landing a plum role in Sam Mendes’s four-film event, The Beatles, seems remarkable. On the inside, it comes with immense hard work. Ask Farhan Akhtar. The actor, who will portray late sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar, has begun his physical prep for his Hollywood feature debut. But that’s not it — his prep naturally involves learning to play the sitar.

mid-day has exclusively learnt that Akhtar is being trained by acclaimed sitarist and composer Purbayan Chatterjee’s Purbayan Arts and Artists Music Foundation (PAAMF).

Chatterjee remembered his first interaction with Akhtar; it happened without any indication of the film franchise that was driving it.

“My friend Anurag Rao, who is also associated with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, called me out of the blue and said, ‘Farhan wants to learn [the sitar] from you.’ I asked why he wanted to learn it. At that point, Farhan was bound by an NDA, so [my friend] couldn’t get all the details. [Later] Farhan said, ‘There’s this role that I’m doing.’ So, we met and I gave him some tips,” recalled Chatterjee.

That was just the start. Chatterjee realised that with Akhtar’s busy schedule, it was better if someone guided him whenever he sat down to play. “My student Ruthvik Rao goes regularly to monitor his [progress].” 

Of course, Chatterjee is only a call away. “Sometimes Farhan bhai calls or texts, saying, ‘Can you send me the tuning configuration for the strings? I have forgotten it.’ I respect him, he is artistically inclined.”

In a fresh twist surrounding the Don 3 row between actor Ranveer Singh and actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, a truce seems to have been called.

After walking out of the film and Farhan claiming losses over recce and pre-production work, Ranveer has decided to return his signing amount of Rs. 10 crore to the production house Excel Entertainment, as per a Free Press Journal report.

To compensate for the pre-production amount spent by the producers, Ranveer has reportedly also offered a stake in his next film, tentatively titled Pralay. Details of the arrangement, including the size of the stake, remain undisclosed for now.

We reached out to both parties for a comment or clarification on the matter, but received no response till the time of going to press. htc

It all started in December last year, when Ranveer walked out of Don 3 after the release of Dhurandhar, and Farhan demanded Rs. 40 crore as compensation for the pre-production costs. He also claimed Ranveer had approved the script at every stage.

Meanwhile, Ranveer was upset about Don 3 being put on the backburner over his career slump. The issue was escalated with members of the Producers’ Guild stepping in to mediate, including Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan, Rajkumar Hirani, Zoya Akhtar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Mangat, and Amritpal Singh Bindra.

Four years after their wedding in 2022, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and actor-singer Shibani Akhtar continue to keep their personal life largely private, occasionally offering glimpses into their relationship through interviews and public appearances. In a recent interaction, Shibani spoke about her evolving relationship with jewellery, linking it closely to personal milestones, memories and the emotional value attached to certain pieces—particularly those associated with her marriage.

On the one piece that defines it all, Shibani doesn’t hesitate to call her wedding ring her ultimate statement. “My wedding ring is probably the biggest flex. I also think that when you buy, collect or gift jewelry, there is so much story to it… so much sentimental value, so much feeling attached. Whether you are making a purchase yourself or it has been gifted—my wedding ring, it doesn’t get more special than that. So it is definitely one of the most sacred pieces in my collection,” she shares.

When it comes to meaningful gifts, it’s the thought and uniqueness behind them that truly stand out for her. “Farhan actually bought me a really beautiful watch—a vintage watch. It is a piece of jewelry in itself and that I absolutely love. I think it is special because it is so unique and out of the box in terms of the kind of gift that he hunted for it. So that’s special.”

Shibani said this as she arrived for the launch of Irasva's lab-grown diamond collection Issho. She said, “We’ve managed to create a collection that’s so wearable—you don’t need to save it for a special occasion. And that’s really the call right now: to be able to enjoy your jewellery every day. I think most of us have so much jewellery that we reserve for weddings or big occasions, but to have pieces you can just pick up and wear—whether it’s for work or dinner—that’s really special.

I feel the entire lab-grown diamond industry has paved the way in every possible sense. It’s about opening doors for people who may not know much about it but are curious and want to explore. At the end of the day, it’s simply about enjoying your jewellery—whether it’s mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, or precious stones. It’s all about wearing and celebrating what you love.”

Farhan Akhtar is set to step into Hollywood with his first international film project. The actor-filmmaker has been cast in the biopic of the Fab Four helmed by Sam Mendes. Centered on The Beatles, the film will see Farhan portraying iconic Indian musician Ravi Shankar.

When we caught up with his wife, actor-producer Shibani Akhtar, at a recent event, she spoke about how this project aligns perfectly with Farhan’s artistic instincts. “He is such an incredible talent. I absolutely think he will get his due here. For him, it has never been about anything superficial; it’s about the craft, the artistry, and the immersive process of stepping fully into a character’s skin,” she said, talking exclusively to us at the launch of Irasva's lab-grown diamond collection Issho.

Shibani, who produced the crime drama series Dabba Cartel last year, added, “The same holds true for The Beatles project that he is about to do. It is such an important project, it is such an incredible milestone in his life. To be able to work with Sam Mendes, to be able to tell the story of The Beatles and play Ravi Shankar is massive.”

Sunny Deol is in no mood to slow down after the strong start to 2026 with Border 2. In the first week of March, the senior actor kicked off his yet-untitled next, an action thriller produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, at Film City. Sources have told us that director Balaji Ganesh has almost wrapped the first schedule of the project, which also stars Jyotika and Vijay Varma.

Designed as an out-and-out action entertainer, it sees Deol play a cop. Apparently, the actor sports a distinct look — think a moustache and beard.

A source told mid-day, “Over the past three weeks, the unit has been shooting all across Mumbai. They began with an action sequence, featuring Sunny and Vijay, in Film City, where a huge set depicting a carnival was erected. Over the past fortnight, they shot at a bungalow in Bandra, then in a college near Churchgate, followed by a stint at Marol Police Camp in Andheri East.”

As soon as the director calls it a wrap on the first leg on March 30, filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari will come calling for Ramayana: Part 2. The source added, “Sunny wants to complete his portions of Hanuman by April-end. In May, he will resume his cop role in Goa.”

The film will reach the finish line by July.

Celebration is in the air for producers Shujaat Saudagar and Vikesh Bhutani, who along with Excel Entertainment, backed Boong that made history as the first Indian film to score a win at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. They still remember director Lakshmipriya Devi’s first narration of the coming-of-age drama. A historic win in the Best Children’s and Family Film category wasn’t even on their minds; all they knew was that the story deserved to be told.

“The first time I heard the script, I had goosebumps. I knew Lakshmi needed to tell this story because it was so personal. It was also a peek into India,” Saudagar told mid-day, over a conference call.

But they knew that making Boong wouldn’t be easy, given that not many films are shot in Manipur. The project rolled in 2023, the unit unaware of the conflicts that would follow soon in the state.

“We brought some talent from Mumbai, who could bring an international quality to the production. We went on floors in 2023 and faced a lot of logistical issues. We shot over 45 odd days, spread over two months. A week after the shoot got over, the clashes started erupting,” recalled Bhutani.

The conflict that began in Manipur in May 2023 has continued since, leaving the state devastated, and its people displaced. In her acceptance speech at the BAFTA Awards, Devi called for peace in the state. Echoing her sentiment, Saudagar insisted that at such times, stories of innocence and resilience are a must. “There’s no dearth of hate in this world. The least we can do is use our craft and platform to spread love.”

‘Boong’ had a limited release in 2024. Now, with a BAFTA Award to its credit, the makers are keen to take the Manipuri film to a wider audience. “We are waiting for Lakshmipriya, Farhan [Akhtar] and Ritesh [Sidhwani] to return and discuss the next step. Our aim is to get a [streaming] platform,” said Saudagar.

Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3’ took an unexpected turn in the past few weeks when the actor exited the project, following which the filmmaker’s banner Excel Entertainment demanded Rs 40 crore from Singh in damages. The conflict appears to be nowhere near its end. Sources from the Producers Guild of India have told mid-day that the matter has not been formally tabled at its general meeting yet, but is lined up for February-end.

“No formal complaint has been placed before the general body. But both sides will be heard informally,” said a senior Guild member. Another insider shared that following the informal meetings at the month-end, both parties will be given a 10-day window to attempt a mutual resolution.

“If talks fail, the body is likely to escalate the issue to the Cine & TV Artistes Association [CINTAA]. CINTAA’s involvement would ensure that both producer and artiste’s interests are balanced,” said the insider.

Beyond dispute resolution, the case — in which Akhtar’s production house demanded compensation for losses incurred due to pre-production, scheduling disruption, and entourage costs — is also expected to become a reference point for policy reform with regard to escalating production costs.

The insider added, “Producers today are bearing disproportionate financial pressure due to expanding entourage. Seeing that stars’ entourages remain bloated, as evident from this case, it’s best to put guidelines in place.”

Have you ever wondered what the three principal characters of ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011) would be like in their 40s, years after their famous trip across Spain? It’s something filmmaker Zoya Akhtar is wondering about. The buzz in the industry circles is that the filmmaker has completed the first draft of the hit’s sequel, which is likely to be her next directorial venture.

From what we’ve heard, the sequel revisits the core trio — essayed by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol — years later, reflecting on their evolving friendships, mid-life choices, and unresolved dreams.

An insider told mid-day, “Zoya has finally locked a draft she is happy with. She was always clear that a sequel to ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ would only happen if it had something new to say. It’s not a nostalgic rehash; the film acknowledges the time elapsed and the changes that have taken place in the three men’s lives.”

While no announcement has been made, discussions are said to be underway with the male leads. The insider added, “The intent is to reunite the boys, but it all depends on alignment of dates.”

Sunny Deol’s yet-untitled next, which marks his maiden collaboration with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s banner Excel Entertainment, was to go on floors in December 2025. mid-day has learnt that after a shift in its production timeline, the film — touted to be a big-budget action thriller — is set to roll in the first week of February. The leading man will report to the set on February 10.

A source close to the development revealed that the change was mutually agreed upon to accommodate the actor’s commitments in January.

The insider said, “Sunny is tied up with the promotional campaign of Border 2. Rather than rushing into the shoot, the makers felt it would be best to push the project and begin with complete focus.”

Prep on the film has begun, with director Balaji having planned a tightly scheduled shoot. “The first leg kicks off in Andheri, Mumbai. Sunny has allotted bulk dates, and the idea is to wrap the project by summer 2026,” added the source.

There’s been considerable buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated Don 3, and not always for the right reasons. Before actor Ranveer Singh reportedly exited the project, the film had already made headlines when Kiara Advani and Vikrant Massey stepped away from the franchise instalment. Now, HT City has learnt that Farhan is keen on casting actor Rajat Bedi, who recently made waves with his comeback in The Ba**ds Of Bollywood , for a pivotal role in the film.

According to sources, Rajat is currently in talks with the makers and may step in for the role earlier offered to Vikrant. “Farhan is considering Rajat to play a key character that Vikrant was originally roped in for. The two have already had initial conversations and are expected to meet around mid-January at Farhan’s Khar office in Mumbai,” says a source.

Earlier, a July 2025 Bollywood Hungama report stated that Vikrant exited the project due to concerns over the depth of his role and the physical transformation it required. Around the same time, several reports also claimed that actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Vijay Deverakonda were being considered for the part, although there has been no official confirmation from the makers.

Mumbai: The India unit of Universal Music Group (UMG), world's largest music company, has acquired a 30% stake in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Bollywood production house Excel Entertainment at an enterprise valuation of Rs 2,400 crore, in one of the largest deals in the film entertainment business.

Under the agreement, Akhtar and Sidhwani will retain creative control, while UMG gains a foothold in the video business and strengthens its Bollywood music catalogue. Devraj Sanyal, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music India & South Asia and SVP of Strategy for Africa, Middle East and Asia, will join Excel Entertainment’s board.

The deal marks the third major M&A transaction in the Hindi film industry in recent times, following Adar Poonawalla’s Rs 1,000 crore investment for a 50% stake in Dharma Productions and Saregama’s Rs 325 crore investment in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bhansali Productions.

The transaction highlights a renewed consolidation wave in the media and entertainment sector, as companies chase scale, capital and stronger IP portfolios amid shifting consumer behaviour. UMG becomes the second music label after Saregama to invest in a film production company, expanding its presence beyond music into filmed entertainment.

Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, Founders of Excel Entertainment said, “India’s entertainment landscape continues to grow from strength to strength, and this is the perfect moment to build meaningful global collaborations. We’re excited to partner with UMG in what we believe will be a truly creative and transformative alliance—one that unlocks fresh opportunities for artists and repertoire across music, film, and emerging formats. Together, we aim to take culturally rooted stories to the world.”

Vishal Ramchandani, CEO, Excel Entertainment said: “This partnership with UMG marks a pivotal step in our journey to broaden creative opportunities and tell Indian stories with a global lens. With a shared vision for innovation and excellence, we aim to transform Excel into a creative global studio—one that brings clutter-breaking, original content to audiences across platforms and geographies.”

Adam Granite, UMG’s CEO of Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA), said: “Today’s announcement further strengthens UMG’s position in India, a dynamic and strategically important music market for the group globally. Original soundtracks remain at the heart of India’s fast-growing music market, with Indian listeners showing a growing desire to access more music in that genre. By investing in and partnering with Excel Entertainment, UMG will be uniquely positioned to contribute from the earliest stage to Excel’s future endeavours and throughout the creative process, providing huge benefits to both parties.”

Devraj Sanyal said: “Farhan and Ritesh have built an exceptionally impressive business, and we’re thrilled to be working with them on the next phase of their journey. The Indian film scene presents a hugely exciting opportunity for music and the music-led entertainment business, and Excel is the perfect partner for us to work with going forward”.

The investment and strategic partnership, he added, would help UMG deepen its presence in a high-potential recorded music market.

India is the world’s 15th-largest recorded music market by revenues, according to the latest IFPI data, with strong linkages between the country’s audio-visual and music sectors. The opportunity is further underpinned by more than 375 million OTT viewers and an estimated 650 million smartphone users.

Founded in 1999, Excel Entertainment has released more than 40 films and scripted series. Its breakout film Dil Chahta Hai set the tone for a slate that includes Lakshya, Don, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Fukrey, Dil Dhadakne Do and Gully Boy.

The company was also among the earliest studios to embrace streaming, producing Amazon Prime Video’s first Indian original series Inside Edge, followed by titles such as Mirzapur, Made In Heaven, Dahaad and Netflix’s Dabba Cartel.

AZB & Partners acted as legal counsel to Universal Music Group. Ernst & Young and KPMG served as transaction advisors to Excel Entertainment and Universal Music Group, respectively. Morgan Stanley advised Excel Entertainment, while Khaitan & Co acted as its legal counsel.

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Mumbai: The Universal Music Group-Excel Entertainment deal could catalyse fresh foreign merger and acquisition interest in India's media and entertainment industry, with the Maharashtra government promoting Mumbai as a global hub to produce creative content, people familiar with the development said.

At least three similar transactions are currently under discussion, though details remain under wraps due to commercial sensitivities, said a top-ranked Maharashtra government official closely tracking the discussions, requesting anonymity.

Universal Music Group's India unit has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani-promoted Excel Entertainment at an enterprise valuation of Rs. 2,400 crore, marking one of the largest deals in India's film and entertainment space.

The Maharashtra government was involved in facilitating the transaction.

The deal follows a series of consolidation moves in the sector, including Adar Poonawalla's acquisition of a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions for Rs. 1,000 crore in 2024, and Saregama's Rs. 325 crore investment in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bhansali Productions.

"The film industry is ripe for consolidation, and companies with strong IPs are likely to attract foreign investors," the official said. In the past, several Hollywood studios like Disney and Paramount either scaled back or exited the Indian market due to challenges around scale.

"Global companies today look for five things when choosing where to invest: talent, policy stability, respect for IP, speed of execution and a complete ecosystem. Mumbai and Maharashtra offer all five. That is why we are seeing sustained global interest across music, films, OTT, gaming, AVGC and the creators economy," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said announcing the Excel-Universal deal.

UMG CEO for Africa, Middle East and Asia Adam Granite said the company will remain a minority investor in Excel Entertainment, while retaining a say in creative decisions, even as Sidhwani and Akhtar continue to exercise creative freedom.

In November, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar revealed that Don 3, which was announced in August 2023, would finally roll in 2026. But things seem to have changed dramatically in the past fortnight. Sources from Excel Entertainment have revealed to mid-day that Ranveer Singh has exited the action thriller, which would’ve marked his foray into the celebrated franchise. What caused the volte-face? A bunch of factors, we’re told, ranging from date issues to the actor’s commitment to Dhurandhar 2.

A source informed mid-day that the primary hurdle was Dhurandhar 2. “Given Dhurandhar’s wild success, filmmaker Aditya Dhar and everyone involved want to make the second part grander. For this, Ranveer will be required to shoot some additional portions in early 2026. After that is wrapped, the actor wants to turn his attention to Pralay, his zombie thriller with director Jai Mehta, as that remains a largely untapped genre in Hindi cinema. Talks about Don 3’s dates were going on for months. At some point, both the actor and the filmmaker needed clarity. The actor also indicated a hike in his remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success, which did not align with Don 3’s budget. The parting of ways was amicable, albeit inevitable,” said the source.

Talks of an exit apparently began early last week when Singh first met Akhtar. According to an internal communication shared with the team working on the film, which is in mid-day’s possession, this was followed by a formal meeting on December 19 that was attended by the actor, his management team, Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani.

“Following the meeting, by Saturday, December 20, it was clear that the collaboration would not move forward. On December 22, Ritesh called for a meeting with all the department heads who were deep in pre-production. They were informed of Singh’s exit, and that the February shooting schedule was officially pushed.”

Now, the makers are looking for a male lead who can take the franchise, made popular over the decades by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, ahead. Kriti Sanon and Vikrant Massey had reportedly been signed on for the upcoming instalment. 

mid-day contacted Excel Entertainment and Singh. Both didn’t respond till press time.