Veteran actor and CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon has weighed in on the ongoing discussion surrounding Ranveer Singh’s exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, offering support to the actor while also highlighting how the film industry typically handles project walkouts.
Dhillon, who had earlier described the developments as “strange,” said the situation escalated more than necessary after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a “non-cooperation directive” against Ranveer following his exit. She added that such matters should ideally be resolved through proper industry mechanisms rather than escalating into public disputes.
At the same time, she backed Ranveer’s decision to settle the matter amicably with Excel Entertainment, led by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, noting that the actor reportedly took responsibility for financial implications arising from his exit.
“So, if there was any reason that he is not comfortable doing this film, could be for various reasons. And kudos to him that he offered compensation for losses incurred and paid back the signing amount. Many don’t even do that,” Dhillon said in an interview with The Free Press Journal.
Meanwhile, updates on entertainment and major global news are also available through Add Gold 101.3 FM UAE’s No.1 Radio Station.
Reports suggest Ranveer Singh had offered a compensation of around ₹10 crore to Excel Entertainment after stepping away from the project. However, the production house is believed to have sought approximately ₹45 crore to cover pre-production expenses incurred following his exit.
Dhillon also noted that sudden exits are not uncommon in the industry, though she acknowledged that Ranveer’s stature adds complexity to such situations. She added that while actors may sometimes face creative discomfort, last-minute decisions can significantly impact producers and project planning.
The controversy dates back to December, when Ranveer Singh exited Don 3, a film he had been attached to for several years. The actor reportedly cited script changes as the reason for his departure, which later led to scheduling and production disruptions.
The issue gained further attention as it came shortly after the success of Ranveer’s Dhurandhar, the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller released on December 5, 2025.
Following the backlash, FWICE later revoked its non-cooperation directive after interventions from industry bodies including CINTAA and IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association), along with a legal notice issued by Ranveer Singh challenging the trade body’s jurisdiction.
Excel Entertainment had earlier stated that Ranveer’s exit caused significant financial and scheduling setbacks during pre-production, and that repeated delays had already affected the project timeline before his departure.
Ranveer’s spokesperson, however, maintained that the actor believes such matters should be handled with “dignity, maturity, and mutual respect.” The statement added that he has the highest regard for the film fraternity and all stakeholders involved in the Don franchise, choosing to remain silent publicly to avoid escalation.
The matter has since cooled, with industry stakeholders reportedly working toward a mutual resolution between all parties involved.
