The Viral Clip That Started It All
Comedian Pranit More finds himself at the centre of a massive online storm after a crowdwork clip from his live show did the rounds on social media. During the bit, a 23-year-old audience member named Himanshu Jangra shared a story about taking a date out. He casually mentioned spending around Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani and a bottle of water — and then dropped a remark that left netizens fuming.
Himanshu said that because he had spent money on the date, he expected something in return, using the phrase “wasool toh karunga”. The comment was widely interpreted as implying entitlement to physical intimacy. The clip spread like wildfire, with users calling out the problematic mindset behind the statement. While the remark came from the audience member, Pranit More also faced heat for laughing along and later posting the clip online instead of challenging it then and there.
Pranit More Apologises as Backlash Mounts
As the clip gained traction, the criticism only grew louder. Influencers and content creators accused Pranit of encouraging a toxic attitude rather than using his platform to shut it down. In response, the comedian issued a public apology. He wrote: “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.”
Soon after, his main Instagram account appeared to be deactivated, though his Marathi comedy handle remained active. Meanwhile, Himanshu faced the brunt of the internet’s anger too. He deactivated his social media accounts after issuing an apology. But the consequences didn’t stop there — his employer in Gurugram received complaints about the viral video and eventually confirmed that his employment had been terminated.
Fallout and the Bigger Debate
The entire episode has triggered a fierce debate online. While many applauded the accountability, others questioned whether a joke made outside work should cost someone their job. Some users argued that the outrage was justified, pointing out that the remark reflected a deeper societal problem. One user wrote: “₹370 ka biryani khila di toh vasool karne ka haq mil gaya. Yahi soch problem hai…” Meanwhile, others felt the labeling had gone too far, saying it’s one thing to call the comment immature, but another to brand the guy a potential rapist.
Pranit More’s handling of the situation also drew mixed reactions. Some felt his apology was sincere, while others believed he should have been more proactive during the show itself. The controversy has now become a talking point about the responsibilities of comedians when controversial views are expressed during live performances. As the conversation continues to unfold, the Rs 370 biryani clip remains one of the internet’s biggest hot topics, forcing everyone to reflect on consent, comedy, and accountability.