The Controversy That Shook the Internet
It all started with a harmless-looking crowd interaction at comedian Pranit More’s live show. A man named Himanshu Jangra shared a story about taking a slightly older woman out for chicken biryani costing around Rs 370. The punchline? He joked that since he had spent the money, he intended to ‘recover’ it — implying he expected something physical in return. Pranit laughed along, and the clip spread like wildfire.
The internet wasn’t laughing. Within hours, the ‘Rs 370 biryani’ controversy became a hot topic, with netizens calling out the entitlement and casual sexism behind the joke. Many felt the comedian normalised a deeply problematic mindset by not shutting it down on stage. Pranit, known for his crowd work, soon faced a torrent of criticism.
Malti’s Powerful Response
Enter Malti Chahar, actress and sister of cricketer Deepak Chahar. The Bigg Boss 19 fame took to X (formerly Twitter) with a blistering takedown that went viral almost instantly. She wrote, ‘Rs 370 biryani and Peddi… make you realize why many women are hesitant about marriage, why we value our independence, and why we choose to split the bill.’
Malti didn’t stop there. She pointed out that even when women financially support men entirely, they are still objectified and disrespected. Her main plea? Parents need to do better. ‘Teach your sons better,’ she urged, stressing that a woman’s consent can never be bought with money or gifts. ‘Content in media and entertainment influences society,’ she added, warning against dismissing such remarks as ‘just a joke.’
Her blunt take struck a chord. Thousands of users praised her for speaking up, with many saying she voiced what countless women feel but rarely say aloud.
The Bigger Conversation About Consent and Dating
The biryani controversy has opened up a much larger discussion about modern dating, entitlement, and the need for clearer boundaries. Malti’s post highlighted a truth that many women in India grapple with: the expectation that spending money on a date entitles someone to physical intimacy. ‘A woman’s consent is not for sale,’ she emphasised.
Industry insiders say the incident reflects deep-seated societal issues that are slowly being called out. ‘It’s 2026, and we’re still having this conversation? Something’s wrong,’ a source close to the production revealed. The backlash against Pranit More continues, with many questioning whether comedians have a responsibility to steer audience interactions away from harmful stereotypes.
Malti Chahar’s no-nonsense reaction has made her the voice of the moment. As the clip keeps circulating, one thing is clear: women are done laughing at ‘jokes’ that come at their expense.