Pranit More sparked outrage after a clip of his crowd work went viral, in which a woman's dignity was compared to a cheap meal, putting comedians under scrutiny. Adding to the backlash, stand-up comedian Madhur Virli's 2024 set featuring offensive remarks about serious crimes like rape has also resurfaced online.
The Controversy That Brought Madhur Virli and Pranit More Under the Scanner
Many social media users believe the backlash is warranted, with some even saying the outrage isn't strong enough. In both clips, audiences laughed at insensitive remarks about women, suggesting such attitudes are widely shared. While More's crowd work videos featuring Himanshu Jangra and Dr Sejal Pawar are recent, Madhur Virli's controversial set dates back to his 2024 show 'Love & Latex,' which has now resurfaced online.
From IIT Delhi to the Comedy Stage: Who Is Madhur Virli?
Delhi-based comedian Madhur Virli is known for his dark humour, sharp writing, and relatable storytelling. His popular set 'IIT Dream' struck a chord with students and professionals alike. An IIT Delhi graduate, he initially pursued a conventional career before gaining recognition in 2018 after winning the stand-up category at the Inter-IIT Cultural Meet. Since then, he has performed across India, released specials on YouTube, and built a strong online presence. His content, often centered on mental health, relationships, and student life, reflects his middle-class roots and resonates with urban youth.
The Clip That Crossed the Line: What Madhur Virli Said in His 2024 Set
In a video now circulating online, Madhur drew criticism for making jokes about rape and mocking survivors. During the set, he claimed that out of 10 rape cases, nine involve only rape while one may escalate to murder. He went on to suggest that after committing rape, if a woman asks to “cuddle,” it could provoke further violence, adding, "Now cuddle with knife," which drew laughter from the audience. He further remarked, "Rape victims say that we would have preferred death over this. But kabhi bhi kisi laash ne nahin bola ki rape he ho jata [No dead body has ever said that rape might have been better]," prompting another round of laughter.
Rape in India by the Numbers
As per the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2021 report, a total of 20,046 rape cases were recorded in 2020, averaging around 86 reported cases each day across the country.
The Internet Reacts to Madhur Virli's Jokes
Madhur chose rape as the subject of his set, which has now sparked outrage online, especially amid the ongoing ‘Rs 370 Biryani’ controversy. As the old clip resurfaced, a social media user criticised the act, writing, "If this is your idea of a joke, what exactly are you bringing to the stage? Because this isn't clever, it's not layered, it's not even remotely intelligent. It's just you picking something disturbing, throwing it out there, and trusting that people are numb enough to laugh. That's not skill. That's not bravery. That's just you getting a reaction out of something you didn't even earn. And the audience laughing at this? That's the real problem."
Another wrote, "This isn't dark humour, this isn't edgy comedy, this is just harmful. When 'jokes' like these normalise putting down certain groups of people, it does something to society that we don't even realise in the moment, and the scary part? People are laughing."
Madhur Virli Goes Silent as Backlash Grows
In the wake of the controversy, Madhur Virli chose silence, deactivating his Instagram account and stepping away from the public eye entirely. No statement was made, no apology offered, and no explanation given.
TRIGGER WARNING: The article contains references to rape and abuse.
About the Author: TOI Entertainment Desk
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