12 June,2026 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ashoke Pandit, Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar (Pictures via Instagram)
The Don 3 controversy may have been resolved for now, but the debate surrounding Ranveer Singh's reported exit from the project continues. FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) chief advisor Ashoke Pandit has once again weighed in on the issue, revealing that several industry figures, including Aamir Khan, attempted to settle the matter before it escalated.
Speaking about the dispute, Pandit claimed that the federation became involved only after receiving a complaint from the film's makers. According to him, the producers informed FWICE that a substantial amount had already been invested in the project before the actor allegedly decided to step away.
Pandit said the filmmakers claimed they had spent nearly Rs 45 crore on pre-production and were preparing to begin shooting when the situation arose. He added that FWICE followed its standard procedure by reaching out to Ranveer Singh to understand his side of the story. However, according to Pandit, the federation did not receive a response despite multiple attempts over a period of nearly six weeks.
He further revealed that mediation efforts had begun long before the issue reached FWICE. "Many people from the industry, including Aamir Khan, had been trying to resolve the issue before it came to us. That also didn't work," Pandit said.
While discussing the larger implications of the controversy, Pandit stressed that the issue was not about targeting a particular actor. Instead, he argued that the industry must address the financial consequences of last-minute exits from major projects.
"Today it's Ranveer Singh. Tomorrow it could be someone else," he said, adding that producers often face enormous losses when projects are delayed or abandoned after significant investments have already been made.
Pandit also maintained that artists have every right to walk away from a film for creative or professional reasons. However, he believes that if a production suffers financial losses because of that decision, there should be accountability. "You may have ten valid reasons for not doing a film. But if money has been spent because you committed to the project, then those losses should be reimbursed," he stated.
The dispute eventually moved towards a resolution, and FWICE withdrew its non-cooperation directive after discussions involving multiple industry bodies. However, the Don 3 row has continued to spark conversations about contracts, commitments and financial responsibility in the film industry.
