A Rs 370 Biryani Bill Turned Into a National Debate
A viral Rs 370 biryani dating story shared during a comedy show sparked a nationwide debate on consent and relationships, ultimately leading to backlash, apologies, and the loss of a job.
What started as a funny audience interaction at comedian Pranit More's show soon turned into a nationwide controversy.
During the show, Himanshu Jangra, a 23-year-old web developer from Gurugram, shared a dating story. He said he met a woman at an exhibition, later went on a date with her, and spent ?370 on a chicken biryani.
While narrating the story, Himanshu joked that since he had spent money on the date, he expected something in return. His remarks, along with comments about intimacy, quickly went viral online.
Many social media users felt that his statements suggested that paying for a date entitled someone to physical intimacy. The clip sparked widespread criticism, with people accusing him of promoting a misogynistic mindset and treating relationships like a transaction.
As the backlash grew, Himanshu issued a public apology, saying he regretted his comments and never intended to hurt anyone. He later deactivated his social media accounts.
The controversy soon affected his professional life. His employer, Gurugram-based Starvik Design, announced that his employment had been terminated. The company stated that while Himanshu had behaved professionally at work, the views expressed in the viral clip did not align with its values.
Comedian Pranit More also faced criticism for his response during the interaction. He later apologized, saying the audience member's views did not reflect his own and that he could have handled the situation differently.
What began as a story about a ?370 plate of biryani eventually turned into a national debate on consent, dating culture, accountability, and the impact of viral social media content.
