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Ranveer Singh faces fresh setback amid ‘Don 3’ controversy

Ranveer Singh

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has encountered a new setback amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his upcoming film Don 3, after a major industry body reportedly issued a non-cooperation directive against him.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has instructed its members not to cooperate with the actor, bringing renewed attention to the dispute.

In response, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson said the actor holds deep respect for the film fraternity and everyone associated with the Don franchise, but has chosen not to comment publicly on the matter.

The spokesperson added that Ranveer believes professional disputes and sensitive issues should be resolved privately with dignity, seriousness, and mutual respect rather than through media discussion.

The statement further said that several speculations and reports have circulated in recent days, but the actor has deliberately remained silent to avoid fuelling further controversy, focusing instead on his current and upcoming projects.

FWICE, however, said it had issued the non-cooperation directive on Monday, claiming that Ranveer Singh had been approached multiple times for clarification and dialogue regarding the issue. The body said three reminder letters were also sent, but no response was received from the actor nor did he appear before its representatives.

The development has further intensified the controversy surrounding Don 3, with industry discussions continuing over the actor’s silence and the federation’s stance.

Bollywood Industry Body bans Ranveer Singh amid ‘Don 3’ dispute

Bollywood Industry Body

MUMBAI: A dispute surrounding the upcoming Bollywood film Don 3 has escalated into a major industry controversy after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees imposed a non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh.

During a press conference, the federation said no production house should work with Singh until he resolves an alleged financial dispute involving filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and his company Excel Entertainment.

According to the federation, the dispute centers on claims that Singh withdrew from “Don 3” at the last moment despite reportedly signing a three-film agreement, causing estimated losses of 450 million Indian rupees ($5.4 million) in pre-production expenses.

Producers have demanded that Singh accept responsibility for the costs, while mediation efforts by the federation reportedly failed.

Singh has maintained that the matter should be resolved through an “appropriate legal forum.”

Federation officials said the film industry functions like a family and sudden exits from major projects can disrupt the entire production ecosystem. Chief adviser Ashoke Pandit warned that strict action would continue in similar cases.

Following the announcement, Singh’s representatives released a statement saying the actor respects the film industry and everyone associated with the “Don” franchise.

According to the statement, Singh deliberately remained silent throughout the controversy because he believes professional matters should be handled with dignity and mutual respect.

The federation, however, said multiple notices had been sent to the actor without sufficient cooperation, leading to the issuance of the non-cooperation directive.

The Don franchise previously featured Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, while Singh had been announced as the new lead for “Don 3” in 2023 before the dispute intensified.

Deepika Padukone makes first public appearance after second pregnancy announcement

Deepika Padukone

MUMBAI: Bollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh made their first public appearance together after announcing they are expecting their second child, drawing widespread attention from fans and media.

According to reports, the couple was spotted at Mumbai Airport on April 28, marking their first outing since sharing the pregnancy news.

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A post shared by दीपिका पादुकोण (@deepikapadukone)

Earlier, on April 19, the duo had announced the upcoming arrival of their second child through a joint social media post, which was warmly received by fans.

In contrast to their usual glamorous style, both opted for a more casual look. Deepika was seen in a comfortable blue outfit paired with yellow sneakers, while Ranveer wore a loose T-shirt, cargo jeans, and sunglasses. He was also observed attentively assisting Deepika, reflecting care and support.

The couple tied the knot in 2018 at the scenic Lake Como. Their first daughter, Dua Padukone Singh, was born in September 2024, and the latest announcement has sparked excitement among fans and the entertainment industry.

Despite her pregnancy, Deepika remains active professionally. Reports suggest director Atlee Kumar is adjusting the shooting schedule of his upcoming action film “Rakka” to prioritize her health and comfort. The film is also expected to feature Allu Arjun in a leading role.

Dhurandhar 2’ smashes box office records with ₹100+ crore opening day

Dhurandhar 2’

Mumbai: Bollywood’s latest release Dhurandhar: The Revenge has created a massive impact at the box office, earning over ₹100 crore on its opening day and setting new records.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film collected an impressive ₹102.55 crore in India on day one, despite being released on a regular working day. Including paid previews worth approximately ₹43 crore, the total opening collection has crossed ₹146 crore.

This marks the biggest opening in Hindi cinema history, surpassing the previous record held by Jawan, which had an opening of ₹64.50 crore.

The film performed exceptionally well in Bengaluru, generating around ₹15 crore on its first day. Despite its lengthy runtime of nearly four hours, it is being screened in over 21,000 shows nationwide.

Special screenings have been arranged in several cinemas, and audience interest remains high despite increased ticket prices.

With this release, Ranveer Singh has secured the biggest opening of his career, further strengthening his box office standing.

With the Eid holiday weekend ahead, the film is expected to set even more records, with projections estimating earnings between ₹325 crore to ₹375 crore over the extended weekend.

Aamir Khan enters mediation as Ranveer Singh quits Don 3

Aamir Khan enters

MUMBAI: Don 3 has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most discussed projects after lead actor Ranveer Singh stepped away from the film, sparking industry-wide speculation.

Initially cast in the title role, Ranveer’s reported exit has led to efforts by senior industry figures to mediate between the parties. According to Indian media reports, a high-level meeting was held to address the situation and deliberate on the future of the project.

The meeting was attended by prominent names including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Rajkumar Hirani, Zoya Akhtar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Mangat, and Amritpal Singh Bindra.

Reports suggest that the core issue revolves around Ranveer Singh’s departure from the film. Excel Entertainment, headed by Farhan Akhtar, reportedly sought ₹40 crore in compensation following the actor’s withdrawal.

Sources indicate that Aamir Khan stepped in to mediate between the two sides to resolve the matter amicably. The speculation gained further traction after Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ekta Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, and Zoya Akhtar were seen leaving Aamir Khan’s residence in Mumbai days later.

The Don franchise originally began with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The 2006 film was a remake of the 1978 classic and was followed by a sequel in 2011. In 2023, Excel Entertainment officially announced that Ranveer Singh would headline the third installment of the series.