The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has escalated the ‘Don 3′ controversy by formally writing to major producer bodies, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the Producers Guild of India, seeking collective action against what it calls a growing trend of actors walking out of committed projects. The move comes days after the federation issued a non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh over his reported last-minute exit from Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3’.

FWICE flags a ‘growing industry pattern’

In a detailed letter signed by FWICE president BN Tiwari, the federation described the ‘Don 3’ situation as part of a larger, worrying trend across the industry.As per the India Today report, the letter stated, “…wishes to place on record its serious concern over the growing instances of substantial losses being incurred by producers owing to the last-minute withdrawal or backout of senior actors from committed projects without prior consultation, due intimation, or professional engagement with the concerned stakeholders.”The federation further warned that such exits at “advanced stages of planning and pre-production” not only hurt producers financially but also disrupt the broader production ecosystem, affecting “the livelihood of artists, technicians, and workers associated with such projects.”

FWICE calls for a joint meeting and a binding SOP

Beyond resolving the current dispute, FWICE is pushing for structural change. The federation has called for a joint meeting with producer bodies to formulate a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling similar situations in the future. Among the measures proposed are clear protocols governing actor withdrawals after formal commitment, institutional dispute resolution mechanisms, safeguards against abrupt exits causing financial prejudice, and “a binding industry-wide framework to ensure professional accountability and discipline.“FWICE stressed that the issue requires “collective deliberation and constructive intervention by all concerned producer bodies so that an amicable and practical resolution may be arrived at between the concerned parties in the larger interest of the industry.”

FWICE urges everyone to act as one family

The federation closed its letter on a note of collective responsibility.“We, all stakeholders of the industry, are collectively part of one family and must come together to address such challenges which pose a threat to the future ecology and economy of the industry,” FWICE added, expressing confidence that “through collective dialogue and cooperation” the matter can be resolved while building stronger preventive mechanisms for the future.

More about the ‘Don 3’ dispute

The financial stakes of the ‘Don 3’ dispute have come sharply into focus, with FWICE confirming that claimed losses amount to nearly Rs 45 crore, a figure that Excel Entertainment has reportedly demanded Ranveer Singh pay as damages. Industry conversations have intensified following reports that significant investments had already been made during the film’s pre-production phase before the alleged fallout.