'Sought sexual favours for meal money': How Rs 370 biryani joke cost Gurgaon developer his job

GURGAON: A Gurgaon-based firm has terminated the services of an employee whose controversial remark about a Rs 370 plate of biryani during a stand-up comedy show sparked widespread outrage on social media.According to news agency PTI, web developer Himanshu Jangra, who worked with Starvik Design, was fired after his comment at comedian Pranit More’s show went viral.Also read: Another comment about male cadavers’ private parts on Pranit More show triggers backlashThe company’s founder, Vivek Vishwakarma, confirmed the decision in a video posted on X.The controversy began after Jangra, while narrating a dating experience during the show, said he had spent Rs 370 on chicken biryani for a woman. He claimed that when she later asked him to drop her home, he sought sexual favours in return for the money spent on the meal.The remark drew criticism online, with many users calling it insensitive and derogatory towards women. Some also questioned More for laughing at the comment instead of objecting to it.Following the backlash, both More and Jangra apologised. Jangra also deactivated his Instagram account.“We have fired Himanshu. While mistakes have consequences, we also hope they become opportunities for reflection, learning and positive change. After carefully reviewing the situation, we have made a decision. This is our response,” Vishwakarma said in the post.The incident has since triggered debate over jokes made during comedy shows, accountability for public remarks and the impact of viral content on personal and professional lives.The incident comes amid a larger debate around content and accountability in India’s stand-up comedy scene. Comedian Samay Raina, Youtuber Ranveer Ranveer Allahbadia, faced major controversy earlier in 2025 after comments made during his show India's Got Latent triggered public outrage and legal complaints.The controversy intensified discussions around offensive humour, freedom of expression, and whether comedians and participants should be held accountable for remarks made in entertainment formats.