Ranveer Singh's legal team warns IMPPA against intervening in Don 3 dispute
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.
Legal team challenges IMPPA's jurisdiction
According to reports, 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."
The escalation follows a series of steps by the producers to recover damages. According to a report, after Singh quit the project, the producers approached the Producers Guild of India with the Rs 45 crore damage claim. Following that, the makers took the matter to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and recently approached IMPPA.
Singh's side has reportedly questioned IMPPA's jurisdiction over the matter. His lawyers are said to have maintained that if Excel Entertainment believes it has a valid legal claim, the production house can approach a court. The position effectively shifts the dispute from an industry-level intervention towards a potential legal battle.
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 reportedly came weeks before a large crew was scheduled to travel abroad for the first shooting schedule.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer has delivered the biggest blockbuster of 2026 so far with "Dhurandhar: The Revenge". He reprised the role of Hamza Ali Mazari/Jaskirat Singh Rangi in the Aditya Dhar directorial. His new film "Pralay" was recently announced, and he has commenced filming; he has turned producer with this movie. He will be seen with actress Kalyani Priyadarshan in "Pralay".