Don 3 Row: Ashoke Pandit Claims WhatsApp Chats Between Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar Were Reviewed

The explosive fallout surrounding superstar Ranveer Singh’s abrupt departure from Farhan Akhtar’s highly anticipated action franchise Don 3 has taken a highly clinical, institutional turn. Breaking his silence on the regulatory mechanics behind the ongoing industry deadlock, Ashoke Pandit President of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and Chief Advisor to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) revealed the extensive evidentiary audit that prompted the federation to announce a directive of non-cooperation against the actor.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Pandit detailed that Excel Media & Entertainment producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani formally approached the cine bodies after realizing that an estimated ₹45 crore invested heavily in pre-production assets had effectively gone down the drain.

According to Pandit, the production team presented definitive proof of financial strain, including detailed line-producer expense sheets, vendor advance receipts, international recce invoices, and signed corporate agreements. The operational unit was structurally locked and scheduled to fly out to overseas filming locations in less than 21 days when the actor allegedly staged a sudden, unannounced walkout.

WhatsApp Clearances and Ignored Letters: FWICE Explains the Investigation

Defending the apex body’s rigorous internal investigation framework, Pandit disclosed that the FWICE did not arrive at its decision arbitrarily. The committee thoroughly scrutinized private WhatsApp communication logs exchanged directly between Ranveer Singh, director Farhan Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani.

These digital trails clearly mapped out that character styling modules had been locked, wardrobe and custom action costumes were finalized, corporate hotel bulk bookings were secure, and international flight tickets for the crew were issued. Pandit noted that no mainstream studio releases such capital without an active, mutually agreed-upon professional commitment.

“We saw WhatsApp chats between Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, and Ritesh Sidhwani… A producer doesn’t spend that kind of money without commitments in place.” Ashoke Pandit, FWICE Chief Advisor

Furthermore, Pandit clarified that the federation strictly adhered to natural justice principles by attempting to hear the actor’s version of events. The FWICE reportedly dispatched three consecutive official warning and clarification letters to Singh’s talent management agency, which were met with absolute silence.

The solitary response eventually generated by the actor’s legal representatives did not address the financial fallout but instead questioned whether the worker federation possessed the administrative jurisdiction to intervene in high-value talent agreements.

The Legal Nuance: Non-Cooperation vs. An Absolute Ban

Pandit strongly weaponized his brief to correct widespread media narratives, firmly stating that the FWICE has not placed a permanent “ban” on Ranveer Singh. He clarified that the federation functions as a trade union protectant rather than a civil court. However, he emphasized that under the rules of the non-cooperation directive, registered daily wage workers, technicians, stunt coordinators, and lightmen will collectively refuse to provide labor on any future film sets featuring the actor until the sunk capital is formally reimbursed to the producers.

Pandit concluded that the stance is not personal but strictly institutional, warning that if actors are allowed to abandon large-scale projects at the absolute last minute without severe financial accountability, the entire economic backbone of the Indian film industry will suffer systemic collapse.