The Don 3 drama just took a legal turn. Senior producer TP Aggarwal has moved the Bombay Civil Court against the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) for issuing a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh. The case, filed at Dindoshi, argues that neither organisation had the authority to impose any ban on the actor.
Aggarwal, a heavyweight in the industry with 17 years as IMPPA president and four terms as Film Federation of India chief, is no stranger to challenging such orders. He previously took similar action alongside filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah. Now, he’s stepping up for Ranveer, calling the FWICE move an overreach that could hurt livelihoods and creative freedom.
The Legal Challenge Against FWICE and IMPPA
Aggarwal’s petition questions the very right of industry bodies to issue non-cooperation directives. “They had no business to do this,” the producer stated, adding that the first hearing was set for June 2. He emphasised that such matters should be resolved through proper legal and professional channels, not public edicts.
“The film industry thrives on collaboration,” Aggarwal said in his statement. “Any attempt to discourage people from working with an individual should not be taken lightly. Such actions can have far-reaching consequences for livelihoods and creative freedom, and therefore must be dealt with in a fair, transparent, and lawful manner.”
The legal challenge comes just days after FWICE announced a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer on May 25. The federation claimed the actor repeatedly ignored invitations to discuss his exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3.
Why FWICE Issued the Non-Cooperation Directive
So what led to this ban? According to filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, the trouble started when Farhan Akhtar filed a complaint in April. “On April 11, Farhan filed a complaint that three weeks before the unit was to leave for the shoot, Ranveer left the movie,” Pandit stated publicly.
Ranveer reportedly stepped away from the project in December 2025, despite having signed on nearly two years earlier. Excel Entertainment, which is backing the film, is seeking Rs 45 crore in damages, claiming that amount covers pre-production expenses incurred before his departure. Industry sources suggest the financial fallout from such last-minute exits has been a growing concern for producers, prompting FWICE to write to IMPPA and the Producers Guild of India for a framework to protect producers.
What This Means for the Film Industry
Aggarwal’s intervention has sparked debate about whether film bodies have the power to blacklist artists. The producer, who now serves as patron of both FFI and IMPPA, believes such directives could set a dangerous precedent. “The film industry thrives on collaboration,” he reiterated. “It is important that matters of this nature are addressed through proper legal and professional channels.”
For now, all eyes are on the Bombay Civil Court. The outcome could redefine how disputes between actors and producers are handled in Bollywood. Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh remains silent on the legal battle, but industry insiders say the actor is expected to respond soon. With Rs 45 crore at stake and careers on the line, yeh toh serious ho gaya hai – this is serious now.