The viral biryani controversy that sparked outrage
Stand-up comedian Pranit More is at the centre of a massive online storm after a crowdwork video from one of his shows went viral. In the clip, an audience member named Himanshu Jangra narrated a dating experience where he spent just Rs 370 on a meal for a woman and then suggested he was entitled to something in return. The comments were widely slammed as misogynistic, and the backlash didn’t stop there. Critics also took aim at Pranit for laughing along instead of shutting down the remark, and for choosing to upload the video on social media in the first place.
The controversy has now taken a new turn as an old video from Pranit’s stint on Bigg Boss 19 has resurfaced. In that clip, Salman Khan can be seen warning the comedian about the kind of humour he uses. Social media users are now connecting the dots, saying Salman’s words have become eerily relevant in light of the recent uproar.
What Salman Khan told Pranit on Bigg Boss
The resurfaced footage is from a Weekend Ka Vaar episode where Salman addressed jokes Pranit had previously made about him outside the show. When Pranit tried to brush it off by saying ‘let bygones be bygones’, Salman didn’t let it slide. He explained the responsibility that comes with comedy and public commentary, pointing out that it’s easy to joke about someone when you’re at a safe distance.
‘I am letting it be, but understand, when a person is at a safe distance, it’s very easy to talk about him. So think about all the things you said about me or someone else,’ Salman said in the clip. He added, ‘Had you been in my place, and I were where you are, how would you react? A lot of things you said about me were wrong, but you had to make a punchline using my name; it was your job, and you did it.’
Salman made it clear he wasn’t against being used as comedy material but urged Pranit to be mindful of the kind of humour he employed. He referenced other comedians like Kapil Sharma, Krushna Abhishek, and Kiku Sharda, saying they do fantastic comedy without crossing certain lines. ‘Whatever you need to say about me, please say it if it helps you take your name ahead. But in this house, you need to play well. I don’t think you should go below the belt, because if you do, others will also. They will not be as understanding as me,’ he warned.
Fans connect the dots as old clip goes viral
With the biryani controversy still trending, social media users are sharing the Bigg Boss clip widely, many pointing out that Salman’s advice seems to have gone unheeded. The comedian is now facing intense criticism not just for the audience member’s remarks but also for his own reaction during the interaction. Industry insiders say Pranit has been lying low since the video went viral, with no public statement issued so far.
Meanwhile, the debate around the limits of comedy and the responsibility of comedians in shaping public discourse has reignited. Salman’s old warning is being seen by many as a prescient moment that the comedian failed to learn from. Whether this will impact Pranit’s upcoming shows or his standing in the comedy circuit remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the internet doesn’t forget, and neither does Salman Khan.