Comedian Pranit More has publicly apologised after finding himself at the centre of the controversial ₹370 biryani row, a viral incident that triggered outrage across social media and led to legal action. Accepting responsibility for his role in the controversy, the stand-up comic admitted that he made a serious mistake and said he “deserves the hate” he has been receiving.
The controversy started during one of Pranit’s stand-up shows in Gurugram. While interacting with the audience, a man identified as Himanshu Jangra shared a story from his dating life. He claimed that after spending ₹370 on a biryani during a date, he felt entitled to get something in return.
Referring to the amount he spent, the audience member reportedly said that he wanted to make sure the money was “worth it.” The comment was met with loud laughter from several people in the audience, and Pranit also laughed during the exchange.
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A post shared by Pranit More (@rj_pranit)
The comedian later uploaded the crowdwork clip on social media, calling it “Peak Gurgaon Content.” However, instead of being viewed as comedy, the video was widely criticised. Many users accused both the audience member and the comedian of promoting misogyny and normalising the idea that spending money on a woman creates an obligation.
As the backlash grew, clips from the show spread rapidly across social media platforms. Several activists and public figures questioned why Pranit did not stop the conversation or challenge the remarks being made.
After days of silence, Pranit shared an emotional video message on Instagram. He revealed that he had wanted to address the issue earlier but could not because his Instagram account had been suspended.
In his apology, Pranit admitted that he got carried away by the atmosphere inside the venue.
He explained that the audience was laughing and cheering, and instead of thinking carefully about the situation, he allowed the interaction to continue.
According to the comedian, this was a major lapse in judgement. He said that if he had wanted to, he could have stopped the audience member immediately or spoken against the comments, but he failed to do so.
Pranit acknowledged that by not intervening, he unintentionally gave a platform to objectionable remarks and allowed the situation to escalate much further than it should have.
He also apologised to everyone who felt hurt, offended or disappointed by the video, saying he understands why people reacted strongly.
The comedian went a step further by saying that he accepts the criticism coming his way.
“I feel I deserve this hate,” he admitted, adding that the controversy has forced him to reflect on his actions and responsibilities as a public performer.
Pranit also confirmed that he is fully cooperating with the authorities as the legal proceedings continue.
The controversy has now moved beyond social media. Maharashtra Cyber Police have reportedly registered a case against both Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra on charges related to obscenity and sexual harassment.
The National Commission for Women has also taken notice of the incident and summoned both individuals. The commission stated that the viral exchange appeared to glorify non-consensual behaviour and sexual coercion.
The fallout has affected more than just the comedian. Himanshu Jangra, whose remarks sparked the controversy, reportedly lost his job after the video became public.
In his apology, Pranit requested people to give him another chance. He said the entire episode has been a learning experience and promised to work on both his personal growth and his comedy.
According to him, audiences will see a change in the kind of content he creates in the future, as he hopes to become a better person and a more responsible entertainer.
The ₹370 biryani row has also reignited a larger conversation about the limits of crowdwork comedy. Unlike scripted stand-up routines, crowdwork often depends on spontaneous interactions with the audience, but many believe comedians still have a responsibility to draw a line when jokes cross into offensive or harmful territory.
For Pranit More, the incident has become one of the biggest controversies of his career. Whether his public apology and promise to improve will help him regain public trust remains to be seen, but he has made it clear that he views this chapter as a painful lesson he cannot afford to ignore.
