Ranveer Singh is truly a Dhurandhar: Film body member Upasana Singh amid Don 3 row

Upasana Singh came out in support of Ranveer Singh as the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) withdrew its non-cooperation directive against him. Also a member of Cine & TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), she called the actor a true Dhurandhar.

In Short

• Upasana Singh supported Ranveer Singh amid Don 3 dispute
• She praised the actor and called him a Dhurandhar for the industry
• The Dhurandhar franchise grossed over Rs 3,100 crore worldwide

Actor Upasana Singh backed Ranveer Singh amid the Don 3 dispute and said he has been a real Dhurandhar for the film industry. Upasana, who is also a member of the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), spoke at a press conference on June 3 where the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) withdrew its non-cooperation directive against the actor.

Her remarks came as industry bodies moved towards a resolution in the matter. FWICE said it had taken back the directive with immediate effect after requests from CINTAA, Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Producers Guild. The federation also said it would respond to Ranveer Singh’s legal notice through legal channels.

Upasana said Ranveer was among the actors who had helped the industry at a difficult time. She said, "At a time when several films have struggled at the box office and the industry has been going through a difficult phase, Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2 have achieved remarkable business and created history."

The 50-year-old actor expressed that the industry needed more actors whose films audiences genuinely enjoyed watching.

She also shared a personal anecdote and said her son had watched Dhurandhar five times and was still willing to watch it again. Stressing the value of successful films, she said they support the livelihoods of thousands of people linked to the industry.

"We need more films like these. Our best wishes are with Ranveer Singh, and we hope he continues to deliver successful films. When a film works, it generates employment and income for countless people connected to the industry. For us, he has truly been a Dhurandhar," Upasana added.

What FWICE said

At the same press conference, FWICE president BN Tiwari said the federation had decided to withdraw the non-cooperation directive after receiving requests from several industry bodies. He said everyone had been asked to sit together with the producers’ body and find a resolution under which neither the producers and directors nor the actor faced any issues. He also said that no one had won or lost in the matter.

FWICE chief adviser Ashoke Pandit said the federation does not have the authority to impose a ban on any artist and can only advise its members against working with someone. He said FWICE respects Ranveer and his contribution to the industry, and added that the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

Inside the Don 3 dispute

According to a Variety India report, the matter grew beyond a routine actor-producer fallout after Ranveer exited Don 3. Ranveer was announced as the new Don in August 2023. By late 2025, preparations were under way, with action training, rehearsals and costume trials in progress. But after Dhurandhar released in theatres on December 2, 2025, and became a blockbuster, Ranveer reportedly informed the makers that he was leaving the project.

The report said the fallout led to mediation meetings involving Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and Karan Johar, among others. It also said producer Ritesh Sidhwani asked Ranveer whether he would have left Don 3 if Dhurandhar had not become a blockbuster, and that Ranveer reportedly said he would not have.

Dhurandhar franchise

The Dhurandhar franchise, reportedly made on a combined budget of Rs 350 crore, has emerged as one of Indian cinema’s biggest box office stories. The first film grossed Rs 1,307 crore worldwide, while the sequel crossed Rs 1,800 crore globally, taking the overall gross to more than Rs 3,100 crore.

Dhurandhar follows Indian undercover operative Jaskirat Singh Rangi, also known as Hamza Ali Mazari, as he moves through criminal ecosystems while infiltrating Pakistan’s criminal and terror networks. The cast includes R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Gaurav Gera, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Danish Pandor, Udaybir Sandhu, Bimal Oberoi, Saumya Tandon and Manav Gohil.

After its theatrical run, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is scheduled to release in its Raw and Undekha version on JioHotstar in India on June 4, while the first film’s Raw and Undekha version is already streaming on Netflix.

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