Producer Nikhil Dwivedi has come out in strong support of actor Ranveer Singh following a controversial “non-cooperation” directive issued by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The film body took action against Singh last week after his sudden exit from Farhan Akhtar’s highly anticipated film Don 3.
The situation escalated dramatically when Singh retaliated by sending FWICE a legal notice just hours before the association’s scheduled press conference.
“An Unfair Trade Practice”
Speaking to Entertainment Live, Dwivedi raised sharp questions about the legal boundaries of industry associations. While acknowledging that film bodies play a crucial role in representation and dispute resolution, he argued that they overstep when they try to stall an artist’s career.
“A unit can have 100, 150, even 200 people. At some point, disagreements can happen between individuals. That’s precisely why contracts exist… But you cannot prevent someone from earning a livelihood or restrict their employment opportunities. If an association says its members will not work with an individual, I don’t know whether that is legally tenable. It could fall under the category of an unfair trade practice.”
Dwivedi insisted that if emotional mediation or industry discussions fail, associations must step back and let the judiciary take over rather than enforcing arbitrary bans.
The Core of the Dispute
The rift began when Ranveer Singh pulled out of Don 3, prompting FWICE to issue a directive calling on all its affiliated members—spanning technicians, crew, and artists—to refuse work on any of Singh’s upcoming projects.
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FWICE’s Stance: FWICE advisor Ashoke Pandit claimed the body tried to reach out to Singh multiple times but received no response. While Pandit clarified that the directive isn’t technically a “ban,” the mandate effectively achieves the same result.
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Ranveer’s Stance: Singh’s spokesperson released a statement emphasizing the actor’s immense respect for the fraternity, noting that he had intentionally maintained silence to handle the matter with “dignity, maturity, and mutual respect.”
Current Legal Standing
The battle has quickly moved from industry boardrooms to the courts, with multiple parties challenging FWICE’s authority:
| Party | Action Taken |
| Ranveer Singh | Filed a lawsuit against FWICE challenging the validity of the non-cooperation directive. |
| TP Aggarwal (Veteran Producer & Former IMPPA President) | Filed a separate petition in the Bombay Civil Court (Dindoshi) legally challenging FWICE’s aggressive move. |
