Producer Nikhil Dwivedi backs court route in Ranveer-Farhan's Don 3 dispute

Nikhil Dwivedi has weighed in on the Don 3 dispute involving Ranveer Singh, Excel Entertainment and FWICE. He said industry bodies can mediate, but contractual rows must be settled in court. Nikhil Dwivedi reacts to Ranveer Singh vs film body row Actor-producer Nikhil Dwivedi has weighed in on the ongoing dispute between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment over Don 3, saying that while industry bodies have an important role to play, contractual disagreements should ultimately be resolved through legal mechanisms. The controversy escalated after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh, triggering discussion within the film industry. What Nikhil Dwivedi said In a conversation with Entertainment Live, Dwivedi said disagreements are inevitable in an industry where large teams work together on a single project. "We work with a lot of people on a film. A movie unit can have 100, 150, even 200 people. At some point, disagreements can happen between individuals. That's precisely why contracts and agreements exist. A dispute, by itself, is not unusual," he said. Dwivedi said such disagreements are also why film associations and industry bodies are needed. "That's why disputes happen, and that's also why film associations and industry bodies exist," he added. The actor-producer said these organisations serve as mediators when conflicts arise and help facilitate dialogue between parties. However, he maintained that when disagreements involve contractual obligations, the matter should move through legal channels rather than public confrontation. Dwivedi further said contractual disagreements are fundamentally legal matters and can only be conclusively resolved through the courts. "Any contractual dispute can ultimately only be resolved in a court of law in India. We have courts for that purpose. You can try to resolve matters emotionally or through mediation, but if that doesn't work, the matter has to be settled legally," said Dwivedi. He also questioned whether industry associations should go beyond mediation and issue directives asking members not to work with a particular individual. Dwivedi said associations should focus on facilitating discussions and helping parties reach a settlement, but if an agreement cannot be achieved, their involvement should end there. "If a settlement cannot be reached, then I believe the associations have to step back," he said. Dwivedi also expressed reservations about associations directing their members to stop working with a specific person, and questioned whether such measures would hold up legally. "One more aspect is when an association says that people should not work with a particular individual or that its members will not work with them. I don't know whether that is legally tenable," he added. He argued that such actions could potentially be viewed as an unfair trade practice, as they may restrict an individual's ability to earn a livelihood. FWICE and legal notice Ashoke Pandit told India Today that FWICE had received a legal notice from the Dhurandhar star. The contents of the notice have not been disclosed. The film body is expected to address the escalating standoff involving Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment at the media briefing in Mumbai later today. Dwivedi's remarks place the focus on mediation by industry bodies and legal recourse for contractual disputes, even as the stand-off between Ranveer Singh, Excel Entertainment and FWICE continues to unfold.