Upasana Singh has alleged that she was issued a show-cause notice after publicly supporting Ranveer Singh during the controversy surrounding his exit from Don 3. The CINTAA General Secretary questioned why her decision to stand by a fellow member became an issue within the association, arguing that supporting an artiste facing an industry dispute was part of her responsibility. Her remarks come amid an ongoing internal dispute over CINTAA’s functioning, leadership and decision-making.

Upasana Singh explains why her support for Ranveer Singh became an issue

According to IANS, Upasana Singh made the comments in an exclusive conversation with the news agency while discussing the ongoing CINTAA dispute and the show-cause notice she says she received after attending a press conference in support of Ranveer Singh. She questioned why her presence and comments became a point of contention, maintaining that she was acting in her capacity as a CINTAA representative.“I spoke in favour of Ranveer Singh. So how did I lose my focus? I am a member of the General Council of the Federation. We are three members, Vikas Verma, Sahila Chadha and Upasana Singh. We are members of the Federation and we attend every meeting and press conference of the Federation.”Singh further said that although her position within the Federation was known in the industry, she believed she had not done anything improper by speaking in support of Ranveer.“They did not tell the media that Upasana Singh is a member of the General Council. The entire media knew that Upasana Singh is a member of the General Council and I did not say anything wrong.”

Upasana Singh says Poonam Dhillon asked for an explanation

Singh said Ranveer’s status as a CINTAA member was central to her decision to speak in his support. She argued that her position as General Secretary required her to stand by members facing difficulties.“Ranveer Singh is a member of CINTAA. As General Secretary of CINTAA, it was my duty to stand by any member of CINTAA who is in trouble, whether it is Ranveer Singh, or any other member.”She also recalled the response to her remarks, saying her comments praising Ranveer and his work were widely circulated.“Whatever I said was published in all the media. It became so viral, and the industry lauded me for supporting Ranveer. I told them that he was a ‘Dhurandhar’ who helped the industry get back on track and revive it, but they did not like it.”According to Singh, Poonam Dhillon subsequently asked her to explain why she had attended the event and spoken on the matter.“Poonam asked me for a complete explanation of how I went there. ‘How can you do this?’, I was asked and was given a show-cause notice.”

Upasana Singh questions CINTAA’s decision-making process

Singh also raised questions about the way decisions are allegedly being taken within CINTAA. Referring to the association’s internal dispute, she claimed that some decisions were being made without wider consultation with its members.“Our Senior Joint Secretary, Mr Hemant Pandey, is a very good actor. He did not say, ‘Yes, madam,’ and gave in to their working process. One day, suddenly a meeting was called and Mr. Paintal was declared as the new Joint Secretary.”She questioned why such a decision would be taken without consulting the wider membership.“How can you do this? You have to call the AGM and ask the members. They are not listening to anything.”Singh also repeated her earlier allegation concerning CINTAA’s fixed deposits, claiming that funds belonging to members had been moved.“They broke the FDs of our members and put them in a current account. This is such a big crime.”These remain allegations made by Singh. CINTAA and the other individuals involved have presented their own positions amid the continuing dispute.

How the Ranveer Singh ‘Don 3’ controversy began

The dispute involving Ranveer Singh and industry bodies dates back to his reported exit from Don 3. In June, FWICE withdrew a non-cooperation directive against the actor. The directive followed the controversy surrounding his departure from the Farhan Akhtar-directed project, with reports at the time stating that the production side had raised concerns over the financial impact of the development. Ranveer subsequently issued a legal notice. CINTAA and other industry organisations became involved as the matter developed. At a June press conference following FWICE’s decision, Upasana Singh publicly supported Ranveer and praised his contribution to the industry following the success of Dhurandhar.

Why did Poonam Dhillon object to Upasana Singh’s presence at the FWICE press conference?

The Ranveer episode also exposed differences between sections of CINTAA and FWICE. Poonam Dhillon had questioned Singh’s participation at the FWICE press conference, with the issue being whether Singh had been authorised to represent CINTAA while speaking on the matter. Singh, however, maintains that she was acting in the interest of a fellow CINTAA member and therefore had a responsibility to support him. The disagreement has since become part of the larger dispute over CINTAA’s administration.

CINTAA’s internal dispute and leadership row

The controversy comes after months of disagreements within CINTAA. In August, eight elected members of the executive committee resigned amid allegations concerning the functioning of the association and called for fresh elections. Singh, who was then General Secretary, said the resigning members had submitted complaints concerning Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure.CINTAA subsequently rejected claims that its Executive Committee had been dissolved and said the association remained operational.Fresh elections were later held, with IANS reporting that Upasana Singh and Sahila Chadha received the highest number of votes in the September 12 counting. The election followed the resignations and the continuing dispute over the association’s administration.Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure have also publicly responded to allegations raised by Singh and others, while raising their own concerns about CINTAA’s functioning, access to association data and the conduct of members.