Vir Das is one of the most sought-after comedians in the world, selling out shows like hot cakes. With an ambition of becoming a global comic sensation, Vir Das recalled his humble beginnings when he sat for a candid chat with mid-day Sit with Hitlist. He recalled how he landed in Mumbai, got his first gig as a VJ and got fired within three months. He also opened up about his growing up years in Nigeria and being the ‘loser’ kid in school.

Vir Das recalls growing up in Nigeria

Talking of his family background and growing up in Nigeria, Vir shares, “My grandfather was a bureaucrat. My grandfather is an IPS, IAS, attached to the Prime Minister's office. He then became an IFS, India's first ambassador to Bhutan, then Chairman Airports Authority, then Chairman of Air India, then gets a Padmashree and retired. Brajbir Saran Das, a very decorated, honoured diplomat.”

Talking of his dad, he shares, “My dad is a St. Stephen's rebel and wanted to not do the diplomat thing. He got a job with a food processing company in Nigeria. So, I left when I was 11 months old from Dehradun. I was born in Dehradun. I was raised there (Nigeria) till 8-9. There's a lovely school there called the Indian Language School, which is run by Indians. It's a bigger school now. Back then, it was not a great school.”