A recent viral clip from comedian Pranit More's stand-up show has ignited a national debate on misogyny disguised as banter. During a crowd-work segment, audience member Himanshu Jangra shared a story about a date where he paid Rs 370 for a woman's biryani and later expected sex in return, using the term 'vasooli'—meaning recovery or extraction. The comment was met with laughter from the audience and encouragement from the host, highlighting a troubling acceptance of sexual entitlement in comedy.
Details of the incident
The clip shows Jangra describing how he took a woman out, paid for her meal, and when she wanted to go home, he implied that his financial expenditure entitled him to sex. The audience's reaction, including laughter, underscored a normalization of such attitudes. More, the comedian, did not intervene and instead engaged with the remark, further fueling the controversy.
Fallout and consequences
Following the outrage on social media, Jangra was fired by his employer. More later issued an apology, but the incident has raised questions about the role of comedians in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. According to critics, the ease with which the joke landed reveals deep-seated misogyny in Indian society.
Broader implications
This is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have emerged in the Indian stand-up scene, where jokes about sexual coercion are passed off as humor. The incident has sparked calls for greater accountability among comedians and audiences alike, emphasizing the need to distinguish between comedy and harassment.
