Ranveer Singh counters ₹45 crore ‘Don 3’ claim, tells IMPPA it has no jurisdiction

The dispute over Ranveer Singh’s exit from “Don 3” has taken another turn, with the actor’s legal team reportedly submitting a formal defence against Excel Entertainment’s ₹45 crore compensation claim and asking the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) not to intervene in the matter.

The development came during IMPPA’s August 18 meeting, nearly eight months after Singh stepped away from Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s film. Singh’s legal team has also warned that the actor will pursue legal action if the industry body interferes in the dispute.

Ranveer’s legal team challenges IMPPA’s jurisdiction

Akhtar and Sidhwani had filed a complaint with IMPPA and presented documents related to “Don 3” before the organisation. The actor’s legal team had earlier urged the association to dismiss the complaint, arguing that Singh did not have a formal agreement with Excel Entertainment and that the parties had only signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

An IMPPA member cited by Mid-Day said that the August 14 meeting had been postponed after the actor’s letter was received. Singh’s father, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, had also arrived for the meeting but was informed about the postponement.

At the August 18 meeting, Singh’s legal team reportedly submitted another letter stating that Excel Entertainment had no grounds to complain and could approach a court if it wished to pursue the matter. The letter also stated that Singh would take the legal route if IMPPA passed any resolution against him.

Speaking to Mid-Day, IMPPA president Abhay Sinha said, “The legal teams of both parties gave their versions at the second meeting. Now IMPPA’s legal team is looking into the matter, after which we’ll decide.”

How the ‘Don 3’ dispute began

Singh was announced as the new lead of “Don 3” in August 2023, taking over the role previously played by Shah Rukh Khan. After the success of “Dhurandhar”, he reportedly had informed Akhtar and Sidhwani that he did not wish to continue with the project. His exit allegedly came weeks before a large crew was scheduled to travel abroad for the first shooting schedule.

Following his departure, Excel Entertainment took the matter to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The producers presented their side before Singh’s team was asked to respond. In May, FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor, though it was withdrawn eight days later following discussions involving FWICE, IMPPA, the Producers Guild of India and CINTAA.

Singh’s spokesperson subsequently said that the actor had deliberately remained silent on the matter and wanted to keep the issue professional.

Excel Entertainment’s reported ₹45 crore claim remains at the centre of the dispute. Farhan has reportedly submitted Singh’s signed contract, promotional material featuring the actor and a message in which Singh expressed excitement about beginning work on Don 3.

As Singh contests IMPPA’s jurisdiction and the producers hold firm on their ₹45 crore claim, the “Don 3” dispute could end up in court.

Meanwhile, Singh has moved on to his next project, Pralay. The film is produced by Ananya Birla’s Birla Studios, Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films and Singh’s Maa Kasam Films and directed by Jai Mehta. “Pralay” moved into production after several months of technically intensive pre-production.

• movies