Pranit More apologises again over ‘Rs 370 biryani’ row, says he made a ‘big mistake’

In a second apology after the "Rs 370 biryani" remarks at one of his shows sparked widespread outrage, stand-up comedian Pranit More on Saturday (June 13) admitted that his failure to object to the comment was a “lapse in judgement”.

More, whose social media account was deactivated days earlier, issued the fresh apology as he faces a cyber police case for allegedly sharing “obscene and objectionable” content.

Backlash persists after apology

During a show in Gurugram, More was interacting with the audience when a web developer, Himanshu Jangra, said he had spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home, Jangra said he sought sexual favours in return for the money he had spent on the biryani. More was seen laughing at the remark. Although both More and Jangra apologised after facing intense criticism on social media, the comedian continued to draw flak.

Also read | 'The Family Man’ Praveen Kumar interview I 'Standup comedians are easy targets'

In the apology issued on Saturday, More said, “I deserve this hate. That man said many derogatory things, but everyone was laughing so I also got carried away. This was a big mistake. I could have stopped him then and there and taken a stand. I gave him a platform and that escalated matters so fast. I want to apologise to all those who got hurt.” He appealed for a second chance and said his work would reflect his efforts to become a better person.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday summoned More and Jangra, saying their comments and conduct appeared to glorify sexual coercion and non-consensual behaviour towards a woman. Jangra was dismissed from his job following the controversy.

Another clip from More’s show showed MBBS student Sejal Pawar making derogatory remarks about medical cadavers and male bodies used for educational purposes, comments that authorities described as deeply disrespectful to the dignity of the dead. She later apologised for the remarks.

Mumbai’s civic-run KEM Hospital set up a two-member committee to investigate the comments, with hospital dean Dr Harish M Pathak calling them unacceptable, while the city’s mayor, Ritu Tawde, said vulgarity and hateful remarks made in the name of entertainment would not be tolerated.

Call for responsible expression

Tawde appealed to artists, digital content creators and social media influencers to act responsibly and uphold ethical standards while producing content. She also said citizens should oppose material that promotes hatred, obscenity or misogynistic attitudes.

Also read | Kunal Kamra: The stand-up comedian, satirist, and the man who won’t shut up

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said stand-up comedians should ensure that their freedom of expression does not come at the cost of another person’s dignity. “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, and I myself watch stand-up comedy. It is a source of entertainment. But freedom of expression should not become a licence. No one should violate the dignity of others. One person’s expression should not infringe upon another person’s right to live with dignity,” said Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio.