Ananya Lohia , Mumbai - The controversy surrounding actor Ranveer Singh and his abrupt exit from Don 3 has intensified after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor. Amid the growing debate, actor Manoj Bajpayee has now reacted to the issue, expressing hope that the matter will be resolved soon.

Speaking at the trailer launch event of his upcoming film Governor, Manoj Bajpayee said that people in the industry are also learning about the matter mainly through social media and do not have complete clarity about the dispute between Ranveer and Excel Entertainment. “We are only reading about it on social media and don’t have detailed information. But as fraternity members, we hope the matter gets sorted out soon,” Bajpayee said. The issue began after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar reportedly approached FWICE, alleging that Ranveer’s sudden exit from Don 3 caused losses of nearly ₹45 crore just days before filming was set to begin. FWICE later issued multiple notices to the actor, but claimed he did not respond.

FWICE President Ashoke Pandit said the federation sent Ranveer three notices and reminders over the matter. According to Pandit, the actor later responded through an email stating that FWICE was not the “appropriate forum” to deal with contractual disputes. Meanwhile, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta questioned the logic behind banning a leading actor like Ranveer. Taking to X, Gupta wrote that such a move would affect over 300 workers employed on film sets and could impact their livelihood instead of hurting the actor directly. Don 3 was officially announced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment in August 2023, with Ranveer Singh introduced as the new Don, a character earlier portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

The controversy has sparked a wider debate within the film industry over contractual disputes and the impact of such bans on workers and productions. While FWICE has defended its decision, several industry voices, including Manoj Bajpayee and Sanjay Gupta, have expressed hope that the issue will be resolved amicably soon.