Mika Singh backs Ranveer Singh, says he will speak to film body on Don 3 row
Singer Mika Singh backed actor Ranveer Singh in the Don 3 controversy and said he will personally meet and talk to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees. His intervention comes as the casting fallout has escalated into a wider industry dispute.
Singer and composer Mika Singh has come out in support of Ranveer Singh amid the ongoing Don 3 controversy and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ (FWICE) non-cooperation directive against the actor. Mika, who had himself faced a temporary FWICE ban in the past, said he would personally speak to the film body.
His remarks come as the dispute around Don 3 has widened from a casting and production issue into an industry matter involving producers and the federation.
What Mika Singh said
Speaking to paparazzi account Viral Bhayani, Mika said, “Ranveer Singh is such a good and down-to-earth person. I know FWICE very well, and I’ll personally meet them and talk to them. After all, we are the bhais”
How the controversy grew
Ranveer was announced as the new Don in 2023, taking over a role earlier played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Fans were curious, divided and excited about the new chapter in the franchise.
After that early buzz, however, the project went quiet. There were no major updates on the cast, shoot schedule or release plan. That silence led to speculation.
Reports later suggested creative differences between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. Some claimed Ranveer was unhappy with repeated delays and the lack of a locked script. There were also reports that he wanted a darker, grittier version of Don, while Farhan Akhtar preferred staying closer to the tone of the earlier films.
Reports also suggested matters worsened after Ranveer learnt that the makers were looking at other casting options while he was still attached to the film. Soon after, reports of his exit became official.
FWICE steps in
The issue later moved beyond a professional disagreement. Industry reports claimed Excel Entertainment sought nearly Rs 40-45 crore in damages from the actor, citing pre-production losses. The matter was reportedly taken to the Producers Guild of India for mediation before reaching FWICE.
FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit said Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani had personally approached the federation. He said major expenses had already been made, including overseas recce trips, hotel bookings and arrangements for more than 200 crew members. Pandit also said Ranveer had signed a three-film agreement with Excel Entertainment and had been involved in script discussions and the announcement shoot.
On May 25, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer, alleging that he had not responded to repeated requests to appear before the body. Pandit said affiliated workers across India would not work with him on films, advertisements or other projects until he personally addressed the matter.
Ranveer did not comment directly. His team later said he had “consciously chosen to maintain silence” and continued to hold “deep respect and goodwill” for everyone associated with the Don franchise.
Mika’s own FWICE history
Mika’s support has drawn attention because he had also faced FWICE action in 2019 after performing at a wedding in Karachi, Pakistan. Reports at the time said the event was linked to an associate of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
The move led to backlash, and FWICE imposed a temporary ban. The directive was later revoked after Mika met officials, apologised and said his appearance at the event was “just a coincidence”.
Singer and composer Mika Singh has come out in support of Ranveer Singh amid the ongoing Don 3 controversy and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ (FWICE) non-cooperation directive against the actor. Mika, who had himself faced a temporary FWICE ban in the past, said he would personally speak to the film body.
His remarks come as the dispute around Don 3 has widened from a casting and production issue into an industry matter involving producers and the federation.
What Mika Singh said
Speaking to paparazzi account Viral Bhayani, Mika said, “Ranveer Singh is such a good and down-to-earth person. I know FWICE very well, and I’ll personally meet them and talk to them. After all, we are the bhais”
How the controversy grew
Ranveer was announced as the new Don in 2023, taking over a role earlier played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Fans were curious, divided and excited about the new chapter in the franchise.
After that early buzz, however, the project went quiet. There were no major updates on the cast, shoot schedule or release plan. That silence led to speculation.
Reports later suggested creative differences between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. Some claimed Ranveer was unhappy with repeated delays and the lack of a locked script. There were also reports that he wanted a darker, grittier version of Don, while Farhan Akhtar preferred staying closer to the tone of the earlier films.
Reports also suggested matters worsened after Ranveer learnt that the makers were looking at other casting options while he was still attached to the film. Soon after, reports of his exit became official.
FWICE steps in
The issue later moved beyond a professional disagreement. Industry reports claimed Excel Entertainment sought nearly Rs 40-45 crore in damages from the actor, citing pre-production losses. The matter was reportedly taken to the Producers Guild of India for mediation before reaching FWICE.
FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit said Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani had personally approached the federation. He said major expenses had already been made, including overseas recce trips, hotel bookings and arrangements for more than 200 crew members. Pandit also said Ranveer had signed a three-film agreement with Excel Entertainment and had been involved in script discussions and the announcement shoot.
On May 25, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer, alleging that he had not responded to repeated requests to appear before the body. Pandit said affiliated workers across India would not work with him on films, advertisements or other projects until he personally addressed the matter.
Ranveer did not comment directly. His team later said he had “consciously chosen to maintain silence” and continued to hold “deep respect and goodwill” for everyone associated with the Don franchise.
Mika’s own FWICE history
Mika’s support has drawn attention because he had also faced FWICE action in 2019 after performing at a wedding in Karachi, Pakistan. Reports at the time said the event was linked to an associate of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
The move led to backlash, and FWICE imposed a temporary ban. The directive was later revoked after Mika met officials, apologised and said his appearance at the event was “just a coincidence”.
