FWICE Withdraws Non-Cooperation Directive After Ranveer Singh Issues Legal Notice Over Don 3

Actor Ranveer Singh's decision to issue a legal notice against the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has led to a significant development in the ongoing Don 3 controversy. FWICE has announced that it is withdrawing its non-cooperation directive against the actor with immediate effect.

On May 25, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh over his abrupt exit from filmmaker Farhan Akhtar's Don 3. The organisation asked its members not to collaborate with the actor. This decision escalated tensions between the actor and the film workers' body.

FWICE Withdraws Non-Cooperation Directive

On June 3, the Producers Guild of India (PGI) released an official statement regarding the matter. In the statement, PGI urged all stakeholders to resolve the issue amicably. Soon after, Ranveer's legal team reportedly served a legal notice on FWICE, challenging the directive issued against him.

In response to the legal notice, FWICE president BN Tiwari announced a press conference on June 3, during which the organisation stated that it was withdrawing its directive.

"We are taking back our non-cooperation directive with immediate effect following a request from IMPAA, the Producers Guild and CINTAA. We have been told that we should all sit together with the producers' body and take an appropriate decision so that neither the producers and directors nor the actor face any issues," Tiwari told reporters, according to PTI.

Clarifying the organisation's stand, he added, "No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice."

TP Aggarwal Raised Questions Over FWICE's Authority

The development comes shortly after the film body had asked its approximately five lakh members not to collaborate with Ranveer. In response, veteran producer TP Aggarwal challenged FWICE's actions in court, arguing that organisations cannot use their position to pressure individuals in the industry.

More than a week after FWICE announced its non-cooperation directive, Ranveer's legal team served the legal notice on Tuesday.

Entertainment Lawyer Sanjay Vasudevan Says FWICE Cannot Restrict an Individual Not Associated With the Organisation

Legal experts have also weighed in on the matter. Entertainment lawyer Sanjay Vasudevan recently noted that the actor has multiple legal avenues through which he can challenge the directive. He emphasised that the Constitution of India guarantees individuals the freedom to practise a lawful profession. Any action that significantly restricts that right could face legal scrutiny.

Vasudevan further argued that FWICE is a trade union and not a statutory body with the authority to impose restrictions on individuals who are not members of the organisation. Since Ranveer is reportedly not affiliated with FWICE, the lawyer suggested that the decision may carry limited legal weight for both the actor and the third parties involved.

The lawyer also stressed that Ranveer is under no legal obligation to engage with the union. According to him, it is entirely the actor's decision whether to respond to or participate in discussions with a non-statutory body, and choosing not to do so does not amount to any legal violation.

He added that the matter is more of a commercial disagreement than a legal obligation. Statements suggesting that the actor must comply with FWICE's demands, he said, are not legally enforceable.

What Is the Don 3 Controversy?

FWICE stated that Excel Entertainment, the production house headed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, has remained in constant communication with the organisation. However, according to the union, Ranveer received three notices from FWICE but did not personally appear before the body.

On May 23, Ranveer's representative reportedly wrote to FWICE questioning the organisation's authority in the matter. The communication stated that the actor does not recognise FWICE's jurisdiction over the dispute.

The representative also expressed a willingness to meet and discuss the issue. However, the union reportedly insisted that Ranveer personally attend any proceedings.

Now that the non-cooperation directive has been withdrawn, industry bodies including FWICE, the Producers Guild of India, IMPAA and CINTAA are expected to engage in further discussions to resolve the dispute.