Sunil Pal calls out '₹370 biryani' remark, demands strict comedy show laws
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Comedian and actor Sunil Pal has spoken out against the widely condemned '₹370 biryani' remark that surfaced from a recent show by comedian Pranit More, calling for strict regulations at venues hosting stand-up comedy events. Pal's remarks came on 12 June amid growing public outrage over the incident.
What Sunil Pal Said
Pal did not mince words, describing comedians who rely on obscene content as 'terrorists of society.' 'The obscenity these boys and girls try to do in the name of comedy ends up running their homes, but it is ruining the youth of the country,' he said. 'That's why I always call such people the terrorists of society, because I believe what is not understood does not belong to society.'
He stressed that the damage caused by such content extends well beyond the comedy circuit, expressing concern that it is shaping the attitudes of younger audiences in harmful ways.
Call for Stricter Venue Regulations
Pal directed his appeal squarely at the venues that platform such performances, arguing that organisers bear significant responsibility. 'Those venues hosting such shows also need to come up with strict laws and rules that no such program will happen here, no abuses will be given, no obscene content will be used — and only then I feel that a little bit of control can be achieved,' he said.
He added that comedians, audiences, and media personnel who value clean comedy are currently operating in a climate of fear and anxiety. 'Today society, and comedians like us and the people who watch our content, are scared, and in a panic,' he noted.
The Pranit More Controversy
The controversy stems from a video clip from Pranit More's recent live show, in which a 23-year-old audience member named Himanshu Jangra recounted going on a date where he paid ₹370 for a plate of chicken biryani — and suggested he was owed a 'return' on that expenditure. The clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing widespread condemnation for its misogynistic undertones.
Notably, Pranit More has previously appeared on the reality television show Bigg Boss, a platform Pal alluded to critically. 'The media is panicked, wondering why such people get so much attention, why they are invited to shows like Bigg Boss? Where are the comedians who do clean comedy? Unless we promote such comedians, people like these will continue to find a market,' he said.
Broader Debate on Comedy and Accountability
The incident has reignited a wider conversation in India about the boundaries of stand-up comedy and the accountability of both performers and the platforms that host them. Critics argue that the absence of enforceable content standards at live venues creates a permissive environment for offensive material to circulate under the guise of humour.
Pal's appeal — directed at viewers, media, and venue operators alike — signals growing pressure from within the comedy community itself for self-regulation and institutional guardrails. Whether venues and event organisers respond with concrete policy changes remains to be seen.