Lata

Renowned Indian novelist and poet Vikram Seth has been asked to return an advance payment of $1.7 million (£1.1 million) to his publisher, according to reports.

Seth’s agent David Godwin is quoted in the Mumbai Mirror as suggesting that the award-winning writer is in negotiations to establish a new deadline by which to produce a manuscript for a sequel to his 1993 novel A Suitable Boy. “It would be unfair to say the deal has been called off,” Godwin was quoted as saying ahead of talks in London.