‘Stop hiding behind crowd work’: Kunal Kamra takes a sharp dig amid Pranit More’s apology after viral Rs 370 biryani controversy

The controversy surrounding comedian Pranit More’s stand-up show continues to gather attention, with comedian Kunal Kamra now weighing in on the matter through a series of pointed social media posts.

The issue erupted after remarks made by an audience member during More’s performance triggered outrage online. After facing criticism over his handling of the incident, Pranit More released another video apology and sought a chance to learn from the backlash.Reacting to the apology, Kunal Kamra posted on X, “Things comedians should stop hiding behind 1. Storytelling. 2. Crowd Work. 3. Hard Work 4. Bank Balance.

5. Parents.” Kunal followed it up with another sarcastic post, writing, “Pranit More makes Harsh Gujral look like Barrack Obama.”His comments quickly drew attention as the debate around accountability in stand-up comedy intensified across social media platforms.

How did the Rs 370 biryani controversy begin?

The row stems from a stand-up show in Gurugram where audience member Himanshu Jangra shared a story about a date. During the interaction, he spoke about spending Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani and suggested that the expense entitled him to something in return from the woman he was with.

A clip from the show went viral online, sparking criticism over both the remarks and the reaction they received during the performance.

Many users questioned why the comments were met with laughter instead of being challenged.

Longer video adds fuel to the fire

The discussion escalated further when an extended version of the interaction surfaced online. The longer clip allegedly featured Jangra describing, in graphic detail, how he became physically intimate with his date.

Throughout the exchange, More continued laughing while audience members could be heard cheering. The extended footage led to a fresh wave of criticism, with many social media users arguing that the content crossed ethical boundaries and normalised problematic behaviour.

Fresh apologies issued

As the backlash intensified, both Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra released separate video statements addressing the controversy. More acknowledged the criticism directed at him and requested an opportunity to improve, while Jangra also issued an apology for his remarks. Despite the apologies, the incident continues to spark conversations online about the responsibilities of performers, audience interactions during live comedy shows, and where the line should be drawn between humour and accountability.