The Warning That Came First
Stand-up comedian Pranit More is no stranger to controversy. Before the recent Rs 370 biryani row blew up, the comic had already been called out by none other than Salman Khan himself. During his stint on Bigg Boss 19, a clip of More making a joke about Salman’s turquoise bracelet went viral. In the bit, he reportedly asked a female audience member wearing a similar ring if she had ever visited Salman’s Panvel farmhouse. Viewers called it creepy and crossing a line.
The matter reached Salman on the Weekend Ka Vaar stage. The superstar didn’t mince words. “Mujhe pata hai ki aapne mujhpe kya kya bola hai joke sahi nahi hai. Uss waqt aapko logon ko hasana tha, mera naam use karke, aapne voh kiya. I just don’t think you should go below the belt,” Salman said, looking directly at More. The warning was clear: comedy has limits, even when using a celebrity’s name.
Now, with the biryani controversy fresh in everyone’s mind, that old clip is doing the rounds again. Social media users are pointing to it as proof that More had been warned before. And yet, here we are.
The Biryani Joke That Sparked Outrage
The latest storm started when a crowd-work clip from one of More’s recent shows went viral. An audience member described a date where he spent Rs 370 on chicken biryani. Then came the line that set the internet on fire: “Maine kaha ki Rs 370 lage hain to use to wasool to karunga hi.” (I said, since I spent Rs 370, I’ll make sure I get my money’s worth.) The implication—that spending money on a meal entitled him to intimacy—triggered widespread backlash.
Critics slammed More for laughing along instead of challenging the remark. Many accused him of normalising a toxic mindset. The clip spread like wildfire across Instagram and X, with users calling out both the audience member and the comedian for failing to shut it down. Industry insiders say the incident has reignited conversations about consent and the responsibility comedians have during crowd interactions.
Apology and Fallout
As the heat mounted, More issued a statement on Instagram. “I’ve seen the criticism regarding a recent crowdwork clip. The comments made by the audience member do not reflect my views. Looking back, I should have challenged the remark instead of laughing and moving on. That was a lapse in judgement on my part,” he wrote. The audience member also reportedly shared an apology, but the damage was done.
Shortly after, fans noticed that More’s Instagram account appeared to be deactivated. Searches showed no followers or following, leading to speculation that he temporarily disabled his profile to escape the backlash. Whether it’s a PR move or genuine retreat, the silence is loud.
The biryani row has now become one of the most discussed topics online, with debates about comedy, accountability, and the blurred lines between jokes and harm. For Salman Khan, his earlier warning feels almost prophetic. For Pranit More, the lesson might be coming a little too late.