Comedian Pranit More Apologizes for 'Rs 370 Biryani' Sexist Remark Row
Comedian Pranit More issued a second apology for his controversial 'Rs 370 biryani' crowd-work video, stating 'I deserve this hate.' The row, which sparked widespread outrage over misogynistic remarks, led to legal action and the audience member's job loss.
Key Highlights
- Pranit More apologized for his role in the 'Rs 370 biryani' controversy.
- Audience member Himanshu Jangra made sexist remarks on stage.
- More's laughter and reward amplified misogynistic content.
- Himanshu Jangra lost his job due to public backlash.
- NCW and Maharashtra Cyber Police initiated action in the case.
- Devendra Fadnavis commented on freedom of expression limits.
Stand-up comedian Pranit More has found himself at the center of a significant controversy, widely dubbed the 'Rs 370 biryani' row, prompting him to issue a public apology, where he explicitly stated, 'I deserve this hate.' The uproar began after a clip from one of his crowd-work shows went viral across social media platforms.
In the now-deleted video, an audience member, Himanshu Jangra, recounted a date experience where he claimed to have spent Rs 370 on a plate of biryani for a woman. Jangra then proceeded to make highly objectionable remarks, implying that because he had paid for the meal, he was entitled to physical intimacy in return. He stated that he insisted on 'recovering' the amount spent, even taking the woman to a 'dark' park despite her reluctance. Shockingly, Pranit More was seen laughing during this exchange, endorsing the problematic narrative by calling it 'Peak Gurgaon content,' and even rewarded Jangra with a Rs 5,000 cash prize.
The clip triggered immediate and widespread condemnation from social media users, activists, and even other public figures, who accused both Jangra and More of trivialising consent, normalising misogynistic behaviour, and promoting a transactional view of relationships. The outrage intensified significantly, leading to severe real-world consequences.
Following the immense backlash, Pranit More initially issued a written apology on his Instagram Stories, acknowledging his 'lapse in judgment' and stating that the audience member's comments did not reflect his views. However, the pressure mounted, and his Instagram account was temporarily suspended or deactivated. Subsequently, More released a more comprehensive video apology after regaining access to his account. In this video, he admitted, 'I wanted to address this issue for a long time, but I couldn't because my Instagram account was suspended. You must have seen the crowd-work video for which I have been receiving a lot of hate. And rightly so. I deserve this criticism because during that crowd interaction, I made multiple derogatory remarks. People laughed, and I got carried away. It was a lapse in judgment.' He further confessed that he should have intervened and taken a stand, instead of giving the offensive remarks a platform where they were 'celebrated.' He apologised to those offended and promised full cooperation with any legal proceedings, requesting a second chance to improve his content and himself.
The repercussions extended beyond More. Himanshu Jangra, the audience member who made the controversial remarks, reportedly lost his corporate job at Starvik Design in Gurugram in the aftermath of the controversy. His employer released a statement indicating that Jangra's comments did not align with the company's values.
The incident also attracted the attention of official bodies. The National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the matter, unequivocally condemning the glorification of sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct. The NCW issued summons to both Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra, scheduling a hearing for June 22 and urging prompt action from the Haryana Director General of Police. Additionally, the Maharashtra Cyber Police registered a case against More, Jangra, and others under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, for allegedly disseminating 'obscene and objectionable' content, and summoned them for inquiry.
Political figures also weighed in on the debate. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the controversy, stressing that while freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, it comes with safeguards to prevent its misuse. He emphasized the importance of maintaining 'dignity' and societal boundaries in entertainment, stating that violating these limits for the sake of humour amounts to an 'injustice against people.'
This controversy also overlapped with another viral clip from Pranit More's show involving a female MBBS student, Sejal Pawar, who made disrespectful comments about male cadavers. This further intensified the scrutiny on More's show format and his handling of audience interactions. The 'Rs 370 biryani' row has thus ignited a broader national discussion in India about consent, misogyny, accountability in comedy, and the ethical responsibilities of performers when engaging with audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 'Rs 370 biryani' controversy about?
The controversy originated from a crowd-work segment at comedian Pranit More's show where an audience member, Himanshu Jangra, implied he was entitled to sexual favors from a woman after paying Rs 370 for her biryani. Pranit More laughed at the remark and rewarded Jangra, sparking widespread outrage.
What was Pranit More's response to the controversy?
Pranit More issued multiple apologies, including a video where he admitted, 'I deserve this hate,' acknowledging a 'lapse in judgment' for laughing and giving a platform to the derogatory remarks. He expressed regret and pledged cooperation with legal proceedings.
What actions were taken against Himanshu Jangra?
Himanshu Jangra reportedly lost his corporate job following the public backlash over his misogynistic comments. He was also summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and named in a case filed by the Maharashtra Cyber Police.
What role did government bodies play in this controversy?
The National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance, summoning Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra and condemning their remarks. The Maharashtra Cyber Police registered a case against them for objectionable content. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also commented on the need for decency in public discourse.
Why is this controversy significant in India?
The controversy is significant because it ignited a national debate on consent, misogyny, freedom of speech, and accountability in comedy, particularly concerning public figures' responsibility. It led to legal action, job loss, and commentary from political leaders, highlighting critical social issues.
