The ongoing controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh's reported exit from Don 3 has entered a new phase, with the matter now reaching the courts.
Veteran producer TP Aggarwal has approached the Bombay Civil Court in Dindoshi, challenging the non-cooperation directive issued by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) against the actor. The directive was issued following a complaint linked to the actor's reported withdrawal from Farhan Akhtar's highly anticipated film.
According to reports, Aggarwal has filed a petition against both FWICE and the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), arguing that no individual, organisation or trade body has the legal authority to impose a ban or direct industry members to stop working with a particular person. The court has reportedly issued notices to the concerned organisations.
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Industry veteran questions legality of directive
Aggarwal's intervention adds a significant legal dimension to a dispute that had until now been confined largely to industry bodies and public statements. A former president of IMPPA and a four-time chief of the Film Federation of India (FFI), Aggarwal said matters involving contractual disagreements should be resolved through proper legal channels.
"The film industry thrives on collaboration, and it is important that matters of this nature are addressed through proper legal and professional channels," Aggarwal said in a statement. He further argued that attempts to discourage professionals from working with an individual could have wider implications for livelihoods and creative freedom.
"Such actions can have far-reaching consequences for livelihoods and creative freedom, and therefore must be dealt with in a fair, transparent, and lawful manner," he added.
How the Don 3 controversy began
The dispute stems from Ranveer Singh's reported exit from Don 3, the latest installment of Farhan Akhtar's action franchise. Ranveer was announced as the new face of the franchise in 2023, succeeding Shah Rukh Khan, who headlined Don (2006) and Don 2 (2011).
Reports of differences between Ranveer, Farhan Akhtar and Excel Entertainment surfaced in late 2025. Industry reports suggested that the actor stepped away from the project after the success of Dhurandhar, though neither side publicly confirmed the reasons behind the alleged exit.
Last month, Farhan Akhtar reportedly approached FWICE, claiming the actor's withdrawal had caused financial losses estimated at ₹45 crore. Following the complaint, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh.
Ranveer maintains silence
Amid the escalating controversy, Ranveer Singh's team issued a carefully worded statement reiterating the actor's respect for the film fraternity and everyone associated with the Don franchise.
The statement said Ranveer had consciously chosen not to comment publicly on the matter and believed professional disagreements should be handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect. The actor himself has remained silent on the dispute.
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Bigger questions for the film industry
The court challenge has shifted attention beyond the Don 3 dispute itself and towards the broader question of how much authority industry bodies should exercise in contractual disagreements.
The case is now likely to be watched closely by producers, actors and trade associations, as its outcome could influence how similar disputes are handled in the future.
For now, what began as a disagreement over a film project has evolved into a larger debate about industry governance, professional freedom and the limits of trade body intervention in Bollywood.
