Shobhaa De Compares Ranveer Singh Controversy to Delhi Gymkhana Club Dispute

Shobhaa De has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh and his reported exit from Don 3, sharply criticizing the actions of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). In a video reacting to the ongoing dispute, Shobhaa De compared Ranveer Singh’s situation to the ongoing controversy involving Delhi Gymkhana Club, saying both issues revolved around “power, control, banning, and intimidation.” She described Ranveer as “the Delhi Gymkhana of Bollywood,” suggesting the actor had become the center of a larger power struggle within the entertainment industry.

The controversy began after FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh following allegations that he abruptly withdrew from the Farhan Akhtar-backed Don 3 shortly before filming was scheduled to begin. According to FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit, the federation received a complaint from Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani regarding disruptions caused by the actor’s exit.

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FWICE later clarified that it had not “banned” Ranveer Singh but had only asked its members across multiple film crafts to temporarily avoid working with him until the issue was resolved. Ashoke Pandit argued that the federation wanted to discourage similar last-minute exits from major film projects in the future.

Shobhaa De, however, questioned the authority and approach of the organization. She argued that disputes between actors and producers should be resolved legally or privately instead of involving unions in a way that could affect technicians and workers dependent on film projects for employment. According to her, the directive could hurt many people associated with upcoming productions starring Ranveer Singh.

She also praised Ranveer Singh for maintaining silence throughout the controversy, saying his restraint had actually strengthened his public image and popularity. Calling him an “iconic movie star” and a “phenomenon,” she suggested the backlash appeared to extend beyond just the actor and was affecting the broader ecosystem around projects like Dhurandhar as well.

Meanwhile, CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon expressed disappointment that neither the actor nor producers approached the association earlier for mediation. She said such disputes could have been handled more amicably through dialogue.

Ranveer Singh’s team later released an official statement saying the actor continues to respect the film fraternity and everyone associated with the Don franchise. The statement added that he chose to remain silent because professional matters should be handled with “dignity, maturity, and mutual respect.”

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