The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has publicly countered filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's recent criticisms regarding a ban on actor Ranveer Singh. FWICE asserted that Varma owes over ₹1 crore to crew members from his 2018 film, 'Officer'. Ashoke Pandit, Chief Advisor to FWICE, emphasized the long-standing nature of this debt, stating that Varma has failed to settle the dues despite previous commitments. In his criticism, Varma labeled the FWICE as an outdated union, claiming it lacks authority and transparency. He also suggested that the ban on Singh was merely performative. In a related development, FWICE lifted its ban on Singh, clarifying that this decision was made not under legal pressure but in the interest of the film industry. The organization called for a collaborative resolution among film bodies regarding Singh's exit from 'Don 3', which has led to a ₹45 crore damage claim from Excel Entertainment.