Russell Peters show in Mumbai rescheduled, but it’s not what you think

Russell Peters was scheduled to perform as part of Stage 42, a festival of comedy, music and drama, which is being held across three cities.

After the controversy surrounding the AIB Knockout video, a roast of Arjun Kapoor and Raveer Singh, here’s another blow to stand up comedy fans in the city. The Russell Peters show on February 11-12, at NSCI, Worli, Mumbai, has been cancelled and rescheduled for February 22-23 a the same venue. The show was scheduled to take place at the same venue as the AIB Knockout was held. Peters tweeted earlier today saying, “BOMBAY DATE CHANGE! Due to a scheduling problem with the venue: Wed.Feb.11 to Sun.Feb.22 & Thurs.Feb.12 to Mon.Feb.23 Same venue. #Apologies”

Russell Peters was scheduled to perform as part of Stage 42, a festival of comedy, music and drama, which is being held across three cities. The fest is being organised by Only Much Louder (OML), the same company who produced the AIB Knockout.

A senior police officer with the Mumbai Police has revealed that the decision to reschedule the show has nothing to do with political pressure around the video that went viral. He says, “Due to security reasons we have not given permission to have organizers of Stage 42 to have an event on the February 11 and 12 at NSCI. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to Mumbai and we need to secure the area before his trip as per protocol. The organisers were informed well in advance, about two weeks ago.” NSCI refused to confirm that the show has been delayed because of the PM’s visit.

(With Inputs from Rohit Alok)