The Tensions Boiling Within CINTAA: Upasana Singh and the ‘Don 3’ Fallout
The corridors of the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) have long been known for high-stakes professional politics, but a recent internal firestorm has spilled into the public eye, revealing deep fractures within the leadership. At the heart of this storm is veteran actress and former CINTAA General Secretary Upasana Singh, who finds herself locked in a bitter dispute with senior leadership, specifically citing a show-cause notice issued by the body’s heavyweights, including Poonam Dhillon. The trigger? A simple, albeit controversial, act of public solidarity toward A-list star Ranveer Singh.
Upasana Singh explains why her support for Ranveer Singh became an issue
The friction stems from the high-profile narrative surrounding Ranveer Singh’s exit from the Don 3 franchise. In a landscape where industry loyalties are often scrutinized, Upasana Singh chose to stand by the actor publicly during a press conference organized by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). For Singh, this wasn’t just a political move; it was a matter of professional solidarity.
“I spoke in favour of Ranveer Singh. So how did I lose my focus?” Singh questioned during an exclusive interview with IANS. As a member of the Federation’s General Council, she argues that her presence at official events is both authorized and expected. “We are members of the Federation and we attend every meeting and press conference. The entire media knew I was a member of the General Council, and I did not say anything wrong.” Yet, despite her position, her vocal support for the Dhurandhar actor sparked an immediate administrative backlash, marking the beginning of a larger, more volatile standoff.
Upasana Singh says Poonam Dhillon asked for an explanation
The incident quickly escalated from a difference of opinion to a formal disciplinary matter. According to Singh, the response from the CINTAA hierarchy was swift and pointed. Poonam Dhillon, a key figure in the association, reportedly took issue with Singh’s participation in the press event, leading to the issuance of a show-cause notice.
Singh remains steadfast in her justification, citing the fundamental mandate of her former role as General Secretary. “Ranveer Singh is a member of CINTAA,” she asserted. “It was my duty to stand by any member of CINTAA who is in trouble.” Singh claims that her public praise of Ranveer—specifically her characterization of him as a “Dhurandhar” (a champion) who helped revive the industry post-pandemic—did not sit well with the leadership. When asked to explain her conduct, Singh was confronted with the fundamental question: How could she attend and represent a position that conflicted with the leadership’s stance? Her answer remains a defiant insistence on the duties inherent in her elected position.
Upasana Singh questions CINTAA’s decision-making process
The dispute over Ranveer Singh is merely the tip of the iceberg. The fallout has widened into a scathing critique of CINTAA’s internal governance. Singh has not held back in alleging that the association’s decision-making process has become opaque and exclusionary, often bypassing the General Body.
A particular point of contention for Singh is the appointment of new officials without the standard democratic process of a General Meeting. “One day, suddenly a meeting was called and Mr. Paintal was declared as the new Joint Secretary,” she recounted, pointing to the lack of consultation with the wider membership. These allegations extend into the financial realm, with Singh making serious claims regarding the management of member funds. She alleged that fixed deposits belonging to members were liquidated and moved into current accounts, labeling the move a “big crime.” While these remain allegations, they highlight a complete breakdown in trust between the various factions of the association.
How the Ranveer Singh ‘Don 3’ controversy began
To understand the intensity of the current infighting, one must look back at the chaotic fallout of the Don 3 development. When reports of Ranveer Singh’s exit from the Farhan Akhtar-directed project emerged, the production side cited potential financial instability. This led to a brief, highly publicized non-cooperation directive against the actor from the FWICE.
The situation was eventually de-escalated, with the directive withdrawn in June. However, the legal notices and industry-wide scrambling caused by the departure left CINTAA in an awkward position. While the association had to navigate the interests of production houses and talent, Singh chose to prioritize the latter, positioning herself as an advocate for the artiste. This divergence in approach—between acting as a representative of the industry’s administrative bodies and acting as a representative of the individual artist—has become the central axis upon which the current CINTAA crisis rotates.
CINTAA’s internal dispute and leadership row
The fallout from these events has been seismic. By August, the conflict reached a boiling point when eight elected members of the executive committee resigned en masse, citing deep-seated dissatisfaction with the way Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure were steering the association. The resignations triggered a clamor for fresh elections, fueling a narrative of a leadership in crisis.
Though CINTAA has officially denied that the committee was dissolved and insisted that day-to-day operations continue, the September elections told a different story of internal demand for change. With Upasana Singh and Sahila Chadha securing the highest number of votes, it is clear that a significant portion of the membership is seeking a shift in accountability.
As the dust settles, the industry is left watching a complex power struggle. On one side, established leadership looks to maintain structural authority; on the other, members like Singh are demanding transparency and a return to the association’s roots as a protective shield for its members. Whether this results in a reformed, unified CINTAA or a permanently fractured organization remains the burning question in the heart of Mumbai’s entertainment industry. For now, the “Dhurandhar” row serves as a poignant reminder that in the world of cinema, the most dramatic scripts aren’t always written on the screen—they’re written behind the scenes.
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