Poonam Dhillon on Don 3 row: 'Needy people must not suffer for ego clashes'
Synopsis
Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon has broken her silence on the Don 3 fallout — and her message cuts through the star-power noise: the real victims of Bollywood's ego wars are the workers. With FWICE slapping a non-cooperation directive on Ranveer Singh over an alleged ₹45 crore pre-production loss, Dhillon's intervention puts a human face on an industry dispute that has so far been dominated by corporate statements.
Key Takeaways
Poonam Dhillon urged that daily-wage workers and crew must not suffer due to ego-driven conflicts between stars and producers.
FWICE issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Ranveer Singh over his alleged last-minute withdrawal from Don 3 .
Producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani claimed a pre-production loss of approximately ₹45 crore .
Ranveer Singh's spokesperson said he has chosen to ‘maintain silence’ and handle matters ‘with dignity and mutual respect.’ The future of the Don 3 project remains unconfirmed as of 30 May 2025 .
Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh, stemming from his alleged last-minute withdrawal from filmmaker Farhan Akhtar's Don 3. Speaking on the matter, Dhillon urged that workers and daily-wage earners in the industry must not be made to bear the cost of disputes driven by ego.
What Poonam Dhillon Said
Expressing concern for those whose livelihoods depend on film productions, Dhillon said: “They should not suffer. I would definitely say nobody should suffer because of that. So, in egos, in fights, in issues, the needy people should not suffer. Like we see, there is a war going on, who is suffering? Politicians and big leaders are thinking, but who is suffering? All around, people are suffering. So that should not happen. Same in our industry. If due to some conflict, some work gets stopped, if they suffer, then that is wrong.”
Her remarks reflect a broader anxiety in the Hindi film industry about how high-profile star disputes can cascade down to technicians, junior artists, and crew members who have no stake in the conflict itself.
The Don 3 Dispute: What Happened
The controversy began after producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani filed a formal complaint with FWICE, alleging that Ranveer Singh's reported last-minute exit from Don 3 caused them a pre-production loss of approximately ₹45 crore. The federation responded by issuing a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Singh.
In its official statement, FWICE said: “Considering the conduct displayed towards the Federation and the stakeholders associated with the project, the office bearers of FWICE have resolved to issue a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Mr. Ranveer Singh.”
Ranveer Singh's Response
Ranveer's official spokesperson issued a statement maintaining that the actor had chosen restraint throughout the episode. The statement read: “Ranveer Singh holds the highest regard for the film fraternity and for everyone associated with the Don franchise. Throughout the recent developments surrounding Don 3, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect.”
Singh has not publicly addressed the specific allegations of the pre-production loss or the circumstances of his reported withdrawal.
Why This Matters for the Industry
The FWICE non-cooperation directive is a significant escalation — such directives effectively signal to member workers and technicians that they should not associate with the named individual on future projects. The ₹45 crore pre-production loss claim, if upheld, would rank among the larger such disputes in recent Bollywood history.
This comes amid a broader conversation in the industry about star power versus institutional accountability, and whether federations like FWICE have the teeth to enforce discipline on A-list talent. Notably, this is not the first time a major production has collapsed at the pre-production stage over reported star-side disagreements.
What Happens Next
The NCD remains in force as of 30 May 2025, and it is unclear whether Ranveer Singh's camp intends to formally contest it or pursue a resolution through dialogue. The future of the Don 3 project itself — including whether the franchise will proceed with a different lead — has not been officially confirmed by the producers.
Point of View
And toward who pays the price. A ₹45 crore pre-production loss claim is staggering, and FWICE's NCD is a rare institutional assertion against an A-list star. But the real test is whether such directives hold when production schedules resume and the same star is the bankable draw. Bollywood's federation machinery has historically struggled to enforce discipline on top-tier talent, and this case will reveal whether that dynamic has changed.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FWICE non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh?
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) against Ranveer Singh following a complaint by producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who alleged his last-minute withdrawal from Don 3 caused a pre-production loss of approximately ₹45 crore. The directive effectively signals to FWICE member workers that they should not associate with Singh on future projects.
Why did Ranveer Singh reportedly exit Don 3?
The specific reasons for Ranveer Singh's reported withdrawal from Don 3 have not been officially disclosed by either side. Singh's spokesperson stated he has chosen to maintain silence on the matter, believing professional disputes are best handled with dignity and mutual respect.
What did Poonam Dhillon say about the Don 3 controversy?
Poonam Dhillon said that workers and needy people must not suffer because of ego clashes or fights between industry figures. She drew a parallel to war, noting that it is ordinary people — not leaders — who ultimately bear the cost of such conflicts.
How much loss did Farhan Akhtar claim from the Don 3 dispute?
Producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani filed a complaint with FWICE claiming a pre-production loss of approximately ₹45 crore linked to Ranveer Singh's alleged last-minute exit from Don 3.
What is the current status of the Don 3 project?
As of 30 May 2025, the future of Don 3 has not been officially confirmed by the producers. It is unclear whether the franchise will proceed with a different lead or whether a resolution between the parties is being pursued.
