Mumbai: Social media personality and YouTuber Elvish Yadav has weighed in on the controversy surrounding comedian Pranit More after remarks made by an audience member during one of the comedian’s stand-up performances sparked widespread outrage online.
The controversy erupted after a viral clip from Pranit More’s show featured an audience member discussing a date during which he spent Rs 370 on biryani and appeared to suggest that he expected sexual favours in return. The remarks triggered criticism across social media platforms, with many users accusing both the audience member and the comedian of normalising problematic attitudes towards consent.
Viral clip sparks outrage
The row began when audience member Himanshu Jangra shared details of a date during an interactive crowd-work segment at Pranit More’s stand-up show. His comments implied disappointment after his date declined further advances despite him spending money on the outing.
Many social media users criticised the remarks, arguing that they reflected a transactional view of relationships and consent. The controversy intensified after viewers pointed out that the comedian laughed during the exchange and did not challenge the comments at the time.
As the clip spread online, criticism mounted against both the audience member and the comedian, with users calling for greater responsibility during live performances.
Elvish Yadav reacts strongly
Joining the debate, Elvish Yadav posted a sharp response on social media, criticising both the audience member’s remarks and the comedian’s handling of the situation.
He wrote, “Rs 370 ki biryani ne do cheezein expose kar di: Ek aadmi ko laga consent ka MRP hota hai. Aur ek comedian ko laga har uncomfortable silence ko laughter track se bachaya ja sakta hai. Biryani toh dum pe bani thi, controversy ego pe.”
The post quickly gained traction online, with many users praising Yadav for highlighting the importance of consent and accountability in public conversations.
His remarks added further momentum to an already heated debate about the boundaries of comedy, audience interaction and social responsibility.
Pranit More apologises
Following the backlash, Pranit More issued a public apology and removed the viral video from his social media platforms.
In his statement, the comedian acknowledged the criticism and admitted that he should have addressed the audience member’s remarks more directly instead of laughing and moving on with the show.
He clarified that the comments did not reflect his personal views and described his response as a lapse in judgement.
Pranit thanked those who expressed their concerns respectfully and said he would learn from the incident moving forward.
The comedian stated that he was constantly learning and evolving as a performer and individual.
Instagram account disappears amid backlash
Amid the growing controversy, Pranit More’s Instagram account appeared to become inaccessible, leading to speculation that he had temporarily deactivated his profile.
The move came as criticism continued to intensify despite his apology. Screenshots and clips from the stand-up show continued to circulate online, keeping the controversy in public discussion.
Social media users remained divided, with some accepting the apology while others argued that comedians have a responsibility to challenge problematic remarks during live interactions.
Other public figures react
The controversy has drawn reactions from several public figures and social media personalities.
Among those who criticised the incident was Khushboo Patani, sister of actress Disha Patani, who reportedly condemned both the audience member’s comments and the manner in which the exchange unfolded during the performance.
The incident has reignited discussions about consent, gender sensitivity and the role of humour in addressing controversial topics.
Debate over comedy and accountability
The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about crowd-work comedy, where performers often engage directly with audience members and react spontaneously to their responses.
While many comedians defend crowd-work as an unscripted and unpredictable format, critics argue that performers must exercise caution when dealing with comments that may promote harmful attitudes or stereotypes.
The incident has also highlighted the growing scrutiny faced by public figures in the era of viral social media clips, where moments from live performances can quickly become national talking points.
Conclusion
The Rs 370 biryani controversy continues to generate debate across social media, with Elvish Yadav’s remarks adding another prominent voice to the discussion. While Pranit More has apologised and removed the clip, the incident has raised larger questions about consent, accountability and the responsibilities of entertainers when controversial comments emerge during live performances.