Comedian Pranit More appears to have stepped away from Instagram amid continuing backlash over the viral “₹370 biryani” controversy that has dominated social media discussions over the past week. Users searching for his profile have reported that the account is no longer accessible, fuelling speculation that the comedian has deactivated it following intense public criticism.
The development comes despite More issuing a public apology and removing the original clip that triggered the controversy. However, criticism has continued to mount, with many social media users arguing that his response during the interaction and subsequent decision to post the video online contributed to normalising problematic attitudes towards women and consent.
Viral crowd-work clip sparks outrage
According to News 18, the controversy began after a crowd-work segment from one of More’s stand-up performances circulated widely online. During the interaction, audience member Himanshu Jangra recounted a date on which he spent ₹370 on a meal and suggested he expected something in return because of the amount spent.
The remarks quickly attracted condemnation, particularly after Jangra implied that his expenditure justified expectations of physical intimacy. Critics argued that the comments reflected a disturbing sense of entitlement and reduced consent to a transactional concept.
The backlash intensified because More responded with laughter during the exchange and later uploaded the clip to social media, where it reached a far wider audience.
Also Read | Viral video triggers row in Sikkim as drivers, Army file competing complaints
Apology fails to end criticism
According to News 18, facing growing outrage, More issued a public statement acknowledging that he should have challenged the remarks rather than treating them as part of a comedy routine. He admitted the moment reflected a lapse in judgement and said the clip had been removed to avoid amplifying those views.
While some accepted the apology, others questioned its sincerity and argued that the comedian should have addressed the issue more directly. The debate continued across social media platforms, with many creators and commentators discussing the responsibilities of comedians when audience interactions cross ethical boundaries.
The disappearance of More's Instagram account has now added another layer to the controversy, with users divided over whether it represents a temporary break from online attention or an attempt to avoid further scrutiny.
Also Read | CJP announces nationwide protests, warns of indefinite sit-in against Union Education minister
Debate shifts beyond comedy
What began as criticism of a stand-up routine has evolved into a broader conversation about misogyny, dating culture and consent. Many commentators have argued that the strong public reaction was driven not only by the remarks themselves but by the familiarity of the attitudes they reflected.
The controversy also had consequences beyond social media. Jangra's employer, Gurugram-based Starvik Design, terminated his employment after the incident drew widespread attention, stating that the issue had begun affecting the workplace despite no previous complaints about his professional conduct.
