Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Mumbai | August 3, 2026: Several months after facing intense public backlash over the controversial "₹370 Biryani" incident, popular stand-up comedian Pranit More has finally spoken openly about the episode. During one of his first live performances following the controversy, the comedian became visibly emotional while addressing the audience. According to reports, at a show held in Georgia on June 14, Pranit expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans for standing by him during one of the most difficult phases of his career.

Standing on stage, Pranit admitted that he had been anxious before stepping in front of the audience. He said, "Before coming on stage, I kept wondering whether you would still accept me. But the way all of you have stood by me has truly overwhelmed me. Thank you to everyone for supporting me despite everything that happened." As soon as he finished speaking, members of the audience responded with loud chants of "We love you," leaving the comedian visibly moved.

Continuing his address, Pranit explained that he had never entered the world of stand-up comedy for money or fame. He said that he had left his previous job because performing comedy brought him genuine happiness, and his only intention had always been to spread that happiness among people. He admitted that when he fails to achieve that purpose, it naturally causes him deep pain and disappointment.

The comedian also shared an emotional conversation he had with his mother after the controversy. According to Pranit, she told him, "You made a mistake, and you have apologised. Now your behaviour will prove whether you have truly changed." He recalled asking her what would happen if people still refused to like him despite his apology. His mother replied, "Is there anyone in this world who has never made a mistake?" Inspired by those words, Pranit promised his audience that he would never repeat such an error. He thanked everyone for giving him a second chance and said that although he had performed countless shows throughout his career, this particular performance would remain one of the most memorable moments of his life.

The controversy erupted during the first week of June after a crowd-work video from one of Pranit More's stand-up performances went viral on social media. In the clip, an audience member narrated a dating experience, claiming that he had bought a woman a chicken biryani worth ₹370. According to the man, when the woman later asked him to drop her home, he believed that spending money on the meal gave him the right to expect a sexual relationship in return. As the audience member made those remarks, Pranit also responded with several objectionable comments during the interaction. The exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering widespread criticism and outrage from viewers who accused the comedian of normalising misogynistic and offensive attitudes.

Following the backlash, Pranit released a video message apologising for his conduct. He explained that he had wanted to address the issue much earlier but was unable to do so because his Instagram account had been suspended. Speaking about the viral crowd-work clip, he admitted that the criticism he received was justified. He acknowledged making several disrespectful and inappropriate remarks during the performance and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

In his apology, Pranit said that the audience had been laughing at the moment, and he allowed himself to get carried away instead of exercising proper judgment. He admitted that it was a serious lapse in judgment and recognised that he could have ended the conversation immediately. Instead, he encouraged it, which he now considers a major mistake. Expressing deep regret, he sincerely apologised to everyone who had been hurt or offended by his comments.

Pranit More began his professional journey as a radio jockey before establishing himself as a successful stand-up comedian and digital content creator. Over the years, he built a loyal fan following through his comedy performances and online content. His popularity increased further after participating in Bigg Boss 19, which introduced him to a much wider television audience. While the ₹370 Biryani controversy temporarily overshadowed his career, his recent public apology and emotional appeal mark his first major attempt to rebuild trust with audiences and move forward from the incident.