A signing amount is a token payment made in good faith where both the producer and actor agree to work together. In normal course, if they do not work together, the artiste is liable to return the amount. But the actor blocks the dates and the project is dropped a month before the schedule.In this case, the actor’s dates go waste. Both the parties will have to settle the matter by refering to the terms of agreement or by negotition. However morally the actor is within his right not to return the signing amount if the project is called off by the producer. If the actor walks out of the project, then he/she must return the amount. This is a question of ethics involving two parties. The producer may avoid the spoiling of relations with the actor by asking for a refund. According to Vipul Shah, no actor ever returns any money.