Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has stirred fresh debate in Bollywood after openly criticizing the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) over its non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh. The filmmaker shared his thoughts on social media, arguing that such actions hurt daily wage workers and technicians far more than they affect major stars.
Reacting to the ongoing Don 3 controversy, Sanjay Gupta tweeted, “When an A List Hero shoots there are more than 300 workers working on sets. Ban him and you are not stopping him but depriving the workers of their livelihood. What sense does it even make???” His statement quickly gained attention online, with many users agreeing that large-scale productions support hundreds of crew members whose income depends on film shoots continuing smoothly.
The controversy began after FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh following allegations linked to his reported exit from Don 3. According to reports, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar’s production company claimed that nearly Rs. 45 crore had already been spent on pre-production before the actor allegedly withdrew from the project just weeks before filming. The matter has since become one of the most talked-about issues in the entertainment industry.
Sanjay Gupta’s remarks highlighted a larger concern within Bollywood — the impact industry disputes can have on behind-the-scenes workers. While legal or contractual disagreements usually involve producers and stars, the ripple effect often reaches technicians, spot boys, lightmen, makeup artists, and other crew members whose livelihoods depend on active film sets. Many social media users praised Gupta for bringing attention to the struggles faced by workers rather than focusing only on celebrity headlines.
The filmmaker also sparked another conversation around changing audience tastes and outdated Bollywood formulas. In a separate tweet, Gupta questioned the relevance of traditional item songs in modern cinema. Referring to Ranveer Singh’s serious character Hamza from the Dhurandhar franchise, he wrote, “Can anyone imagine Hamza singing and dancing to an item number. That concept is long gone. It’s DEAD. The same way that promotions in malls are dead. Par hum nahin seekhienge.”
His comments appeared to criticize Bollywood’s continued reliance on old promotional strategies and formula-driven entertainment despite changing viewer preferences. Gupta suggested that audiences today connect more with realistic storytelling and character-driven narratives rather than forced dance sequences or outdated publicity methods. The tweet quickly triggered discussions among film lovers, with some agreeing that cinema has evolved while others defended Bollywood’s traditional mass-entertainment style.
The filmmaker’s observations also come at a time when many big-budget entertainers are still banking heavily on dance tracks, promotional tours, and nostalgia-driven content to attract audiences. While some filmmakers continue to embrace larger-than-life entertainment, others believe modern viewers now prefer grounded storytelling with emotional depth and authenticity.
As debates around Don 3, Ranveer Singh, and Bollywood’s changing landscape continue, Sanjay Gupta’s blunt social media remarks have once again sparked conversations about the future direction of Hindi cinema. Whether the industry adapts quickly or continues holding onto old formulas remains a question many filmmakers and audiences are now asking openly.