The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh and the film Don 3 has intensified, with new reactions coming from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). Recently, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma made comments that drew strong criticism from Ashoke Pandit, a representative of FWICE. Pandit clarified that the federation has not called for a ban on Singh, but he did demand an apology from Varma for his remarks about the organization.
In a media briefing, Pandit acknowledged Varma’s contributions to Indian cinema but expressed concern over the filmmaker’s choice of words against the federation. “Ram Gopal Varma is an exceptional filmmaker with many fans, including myself. However, he has used inappropriate language, and we are concerned about this behavior,” Pandit stated. He added that Varma reportedly owes more than ₹1.25 crores to various technicians and workers.
Pandit emphasized that FWICE is not trying to damage Varma’s reputation, but they want to remind him of the outstanding payments since 2019. “We are not here to harm his image. We just want to bring to his attention that there are dues that need to be settled,” he said.
During the briefing, Pandit referred to a letter Varma allegedly wrote in 2019 regarding unpaid wages linked to the film Officer, starring Nagarjuna. According to Pandit, the letter acknowledged the pending payments but indicated that they had not been addressed even years later. “As of 2026, this money has still not reached the workers. How can he expect us to be quiet?” Pandit added, urging Varma to correct his statements about banning and to apologize to the federation.
He concluded by expressing hope that Varma would consider the situation while continuing his filmmaking journey. The remarks have sparked renewed discussions about FWICE’s role in industry matters, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing debate surrounding Don 3 and the unresolved payment issue from 2019.
The situation is developing, and many are keen to see how it will unfold in the coming days.
