Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 5, 2016)

Over the last couple of months, actor and stand-up comic Vir Das travelled across UK, US, Canada and South Africa to perform nearly 120 shows. His last was supposed to be at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, but Vir pulled out of it at the last minute to return to Mumbai for the promotions of his upcoming film, 31st October, leaving organisers fuming.

A unit hand says, “Vir cancelled the Fringe gig after the tickets had been sold out. His film’s producers made sure that he returns before the trailer launch. Since he is bound by a legal contract, he had to do it whether he liked it or not. Obviously, the organisers are disappointed, but his talent team is trying to make amends.”

The spokesperson for Fringe says, in keeping with standard procedure, the organisers refunded people for the tickets bought. “Next year, if he (Vir) wants to come back and perform, we won’t stop him, but it is a reputation loss for the performer.”

Vir says he had to return to Mumbai to “honour his commitment” as the film suddenly got a release date — October 7. “Pulling out of shows might seem unprofessional, but my team is in talks with them, trying to organise an alternate gig. We hope the shows happen in the coming months. But, for now, my movie was my priority and I made my choice,” he adds.