The Federation of West Indian Cine Workers (FWICE) has withdrawn its non-cooperation directive against actors Ranveer SinghEnding the controversy that arose after a dispute between the actors and the creators of Don 3, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar‘s Excel Entertainment.Reacting to the development, the President of Cine & Television Artistes Association (CINTAA). Poonam Dhillon he said he was happy with the decision and said the directive should never have been issued in the first place.
“He has the right to choose his job”
Speaking to Variety India, Poonam said, “As an actress and president of CINTAA, I am happy that the directive has been revoked as it was definitely not deserved. We were against it from the beginning because FWICE had no credibility to take such action against an actor of his calibre.”He also emphasized that agents have the freedom to choose a career and that these issues must be managed among the stakeholders.“As an actor, he has the right to choose his work and it is between him and the producer how they handle the matter. He is responsible and committed to his work, and we have seen his work,” he said.Highlighting Ranveer’s professional association with Excel Entertainment, Poonam added, “As far as I know, he has a great relationship with Excel Entertainment, with whom he has done films like Gully Boy and Dil Dhadakne Do. Farhan Akhtar is also an actor. So our support goes to him as well. We wouldn’t want any of our actors to face such problems.“
FWICE clarifies absence of CINTAA at press conference
Poonam also addressed the presence of actress Rupali Ganguly at the recent FWICE press conference, clarifying that she was not representing CINTAA.“I think he went in his own individual way – as an actor and friend of Mr. BN Tiwari (FWICE chairman). CINTAA did not receive an official invitation to this press conference. They didn’t even tell us about the previous press conference, where they announced that they were issuing a statement of non-cooperation,” he said.
“No Enmity From Ranveer’s Side”
Revealing that she had personally spoken to Ranveer’s family during the controversy, Poonam said she had been in touch with the actor’s father and assured them that efforts were being made to resolve the issue.“I spoke to Ranveer’s father at length and we have been on WhatsApp. He thanked me for our support. We spoke to them to understand the situation. He told me that they had interacted with Excel Entertainment and how close and dear he is to Farhan and the Excel team. There is no enmity on his part.”He added that when CINTAA offered help, the family felt that intervention was not necessary.“I asked if CINTAA could help. But he said, ‘We didn’t involve you because we didn’t want to bother you and we’re already in the process of fixing it.’
“The complication created by FWICE was unnecessary”
Poonam also questioned FWICE’s handling of the issue, saying dispute resolution mechanisms already exist in the industry.“The complication created by FWICE was unnecessary. The systems are in place. People sit at the table and talk to each other. And of course there is the law of the land. If they had approached the right people, like CINTAA, we could have had better communication. However, FWICE did not approach us.”With the non-cooperation directive now withdrawn, the episode seems to have ended amicably, with both Ranveer Singh’s camp and Excel Entertainment reportedly settling the matter through dialogue.
