Mumbai: The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar over Don 3 has taken a major turn, with reports claiming that the fallout between the actor and filmmaker eventually led to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issuing a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer.

What started as a high-profile casting announcement has now snowballed into one of Bollywood’s biggest controversies, with Excel Entertainment reportedly seeking Rs 45 crore in compensation amid the ongoing dispute.

Ranveer Singh was officially introduced as the new face of the Don franchise in 2023, stepping into the iconic role earlier played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. The announcement video created massive buzz online and quickly became a trending topic among Bollywood fans. However, the film later faced repeated production delays, triggering speculation over creative disagreements behind the scenes.

According to multiple reports, Ranveer’s exit from Don 3 was linked to creative differences with the makers. A report by Free Press Journal claimed the actor wanted a darker and more intense version of the character, with more aggressive action and stronger language, while Farhan Akhtar reportedly preferred to retain the franchise’s original tone and vision. Industry buzz also suggested that Ranveer was unhappy with delays in the production schedule and the absence of a locked final script.

Despite widespread speculation, Ranveer Singh has never officially commented on why he stepped away from the project.

The controversy gained further attention after reports emerged that the fallout between Farhan and Ranveer became one of the factors behind FWICE’s action against the actor. The development added a fresh twist to the Don 3 row, which has remained in headlines for months amid rumours, legal claims and uncertainty around the film’s future.

Earlier this year, Farhan Akhtar addressed the situation during an interaction with Hollywood Reporter India. Speaking about setbacks and unpredictability in filmmaking, he said he had learnt to “expect the unexpected” and that nothing could be taken for granted until it was actually filmed. The filmmaker also described his journey in cinema as an “incredible ride” and said difficult phases were part of the industry.