A remark made during a live stand-up comedy show has resulted into a full-blown Gurugram viral controversy, sparking heated debate across the country about consent, entitlement, and accountability. A 23-year-old web developer from Gurugram, Himanshu Jangra, has lost his job after a clip from comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show went viral on social media.
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The Gurugram viral controversy has now triggered wider conversations about misogyny in dating culture and whether employers should act on an employee's conduct outside of the workplace.
What Happened at Pranit More Show?
During the show, Jangra recounted a date where he and a woman had a plate of chicken biryani for around Rs 360–370. When the woman asked him to drop her home, he responded by saying he intended to "recover" the money he had spent on the meal.
The line that drew the most immediate criticism was: "Maine kaha 370 rupay lage hain, main wasool toh karunga" meaning, "I said, since I spent Rs 370, I will make sure I get my money's worth."
He also described pressuring his date to accompany him to a "dark" park despite her repeated reluctance. The crowd, and the comedian on stage, laughed.
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How It Escalated
The clip was recorded during a crowd-work segment a format where comedians interact with audience members directly. Once the footage circulated on Instagram and X, internet users quickly identified the man as Himanshu Jangra, a web developer at Starvik Design in Gurugram, and began tagging the company directly.
Comedian Pranit More also came under fire for his reaction during the show, where he laughed and reportedly labelled the situation "peak Gurgaon content." Many users criticised him for not challenging the remarks in the moment.
The outrage was swift and widespread. Social media flooded with responses calling the remarks not just inappropriate but reflective of a dangerous attitude toward women and consent.
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The Fallout: Job Termination
The backlash quickly reached Jangra's employer, Starvik Design, where the company founder Vivek Vishwakarma confirmed the termination through a video statement posted on Instagram.
Vishwakarma stated: "Let me be very clear, the statements shown in those clips are offensive. They are not something I agree with. They are not something our company stands for, and they certainly should not be influencing young minds."
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The founder also noted that an internal review found no prior complaints against Jangra at the workplace, but emphasised that the offensive nature of his public remarks made action necessary. "What happened outside the workplace has now affected the workplace, and I have a responsibility towards the company, our team, and the environment we create here," he said.
Apologies and Aftermath
Following the intense backlash, Himanshu Jangra apologised for his remarks and deactivated his social media accounts. Pranit More also issued a public apology, posting a note on Instagram acknowledging the incident, and removed the clip from his social media platforms.
Despite the apologies, critics called out the comedian for initially laughing at the remarks rather than challenging them a lapse for which More has since apologised.
Reports also indicated that a group of men allegedly assaulted Pranit More following the controversy.
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The Bigger Picture
The incident has opened up a significant public debate about attitudes in dating culture, the role of social media in accountability, and the limits of comedy. For young Indians navigating dating, work culture, and social media, the incident has become more than another viral moment, it is also a case study in how online actions can shape offline outcomes.
The controversy, widely referred to as the 'Rs 370 Ki Biryani' row, has triggered heated discussions about entitlement, consent, accountability, and whether people deserve a second chance after making public mistakes.
The case is a clear reminder that in today's hyper-connected world, what is said in a room can travel far beyond it and the consequences can be very real.