The controversy around Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3 has now reached the courts, adding a new chapter to a dispute that has sparked a new debate across Bollywood.

The actor has sent a legal notice to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), days after the film workers’ body asked its members not to work on projects starring him. 

The move came after allegations that Ranveer walked away from Don 3 shortly before filming was due to begin.

FWICE said filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani told the organisation they had already spent around Rs 45 crore on pre-production. 

In its notice the body said the actor’s reported withdrawal could cause “severe financial losses” and affect the film’s execution.

FWICE President Ashoke Pandit later said “None of our workers or members, across all crafts, will work on any of his projects.”

But the organisation later clarified that its action was a non-cooperation directive and not a formal ban.

The legal fight has also revived questions about how much authority industry bodies actually have. 

A 2017 ruling by India’s Competition Commission said FWICE could not enforce restrictions that prevent producers from freely hiring workers.

Ranveer has largely stayed silent. However, his spokesperson said the actor “holds the highest regard for the film fraternity” and believes such matters should be handled with “dignity, maturity and mutual respect.”

Announced in 2023, Don 3 was meant to introduce Ranveer as the famous character previously played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.