Known for his outspoken nature and frequent controversies, Kamra took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the issue. In one post, he listed what he believes comedians should stop using as shields against criticism, writing:
"Things comedians should stop hiding behind…
- 1. Storytelling.
- 2. Crowd Work.
- 3. Hard Work.
- 4. Bank Balance.
- 5. Parents.
In another pointed remark, Kamra wrote, *"Pranit More makes Harsh Gujral look like Barack Obama,"* further fueling discussions around the controversy.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The controversy stems from a crowd-work segment during one of Pranit More's live performances in Gurugram. During the interaction, a 23-year-old web developer, Himanshu Jangra, shared a story about a date in which he claimed to have spent ₹370 on a plate of chicken biryani for a woman.
Jangra then suggested that because he had paid for the meal, he was entitled to a "return" on his investment in the form of physical intimacy. He further claimed that he took the woman to a secluded park and kissed her despite not genuinely feeling a connection.
While the audience laughed at the anecdote, More responded by rewarding Jangra with ₹5,000 and later shared the clip on his Instagram account.
What may have been intended as an entertaining crowd-work moment quickly sparked widespread outrage online. Social media users criticised Jangra for promoting attitudes that appeared to disregard consent, while More faced backlash for applauding the story rather than challenging it.
Apologies and Legal Action
Following intense criticism, both Jangra and More issued public apologies and temporarily deactivated their Instagram accounts. The incident also attracted legal attention, with the Maharashtra Cyber Police reportedly registering a case in connection with the matter.
Recently, More returned to social media with another apology, acknowledging his role in amplifying the controversial remarks.
In his video statement, More admitted that the participant had made several derogatory comments during the crowd-work segment and said that his biggest mistake was failing to intervene at the time.
He stated that he could have stopped the conversation but instead provided a platform that allowed the remarks to gain wider attention. More apologised to anyone who felt hurt by the incident and said he would cooperate fully with ongoing legal proceedings. He also appealed for a second chance, promising to become a better person and learn from the experience.
Professional Consequences for Jangra
The controversy has also had professional repercussions for Himanshu Jangra. According to a statement shared on Instagram by founder Vivek Vishwakarma, Jangra's employment with Starvik Design has been terminated following the incident.
As public debate around accountability in comedy continues, the controversy has reignited conversations about the responsibilities of performers during crowd interactions and the limits of humour when sensitive issues such as consent are involved.
