The Pranit More Controversy- And Why It Shouldn’t Be Ignored

In February 2025, the Ranbeer Allahabadia controversy erupted.

I wrote about it in ‘The She Saga’.

Many readers agreed with my content, while a few asked me to chill and develop a funny bone or two. One year and four months later, the level of comedy in India has hit a nadir. Until now, I wasn’t aware of the existence of Pranit More. I could have ignored his show, but what happened there in the garb of humour touched a raw nerve. And I am not going to ignore it.

Maybe I am not cool enough to accept repulsive jokes.

Not Everyone’s Cup Of Tea

Crowd work in stand-up comedy is not an easy job. The performer must not only be spontaneous but also be able to tackle all sorts of behaviour from the members in the audience. Rahul Subramanian’s approach here can be considered a masterclass in comedy. Full of poise and class, he never shames an individual. The Iranian-American Max Amini’s jokes are more risqué, but he never stoops to the level of creating a toxic mess to shock his audience. Having said that, both the comedians are competent enough to put a recalcitrant person in their place without resorting to below-the-belt tactics.

Girl & Guy Create A Stink

Pranit More need not ape other comedians and is free to pursue his individuality. But the uproar that followed his recent show proved he is just another performer fit for the streets. And as far as his audience is concerned, I wonder (and despair) about their IQ and EQ levels.

I am not going to dignify the participants and address them by the names given by their parents. Let them be called the ‘guy’ and the ‘girl’ in this article.

The twenty-something guy believed that spending ₹370 on a biryani for a woman meant an open (and free) invitation for physical intimacy. Giving fierce competition to his misogyny, the girl joked about the sizes of male genetalia of cadavers in the anatomy department.

Not only did Pranit More upload the content, but the Gen Z boys and girls in the show thought nothing of the callousness but laughed along as if it were top-notch humour.

I worry about our future.

Sorry! These Aren’t Harmless Jokes

In 2016, Amitabh Bachchan mouthed a one-liner banger in Pink. “No means no!” Unfortunately, it remained just that – a famous dialogue from a hit film, on the lines of ‘kitney aadmi the’ or ‘tarikh par tarikh’. Much water has flown down the Ganges in 10 years, but women continue to get groped and raped. Consent? That’s just a C word existing in the dictionary. You can win her over with a biryani that costs ₹370.

A cadaver is the first teacher of a medical student. After being embalmed, it is dissected by the students, offering them a hands-on experience in human anatomy. Scientifically, a corpse doesn’t have feelings. However, science doesn’t entail disrespect and mockery. There is dignity even after death. Mocking the size of its private part isn’t tantamount to humour, dark or otherwise.

Let’s Not Forgive and Forget

Last checked, the guy has been sacked from his job. More has deactivated his social media account. The girl has put forth an unconditional apology.

But inwardly, I am seething and feeling helpless. Will the trashy trio be reprimanded? Will they move on after basking in the 15-second limelight that clout chasers cling to? All I can do is to vent out my fury and frustration!

In December 2025, I lost my father to brain stroke. As a dutiful daughter possessing a scientific temperament, I went ahead and donated his body to a government medical college in Kolkata. The dean of the anatomy department thanked me profusely for my gesture. My friends assured me that the students treat cadavers with utmost respect and dignity. I trust them. They are not only good friends but also well-known doctors in their respective domains.

Unfortunately, rotten apples are everywhere. The notorious girl’s so-called confession hit home. As a daughter, I pray fervently that such specimens do not hover over my father. The girl and her ilk have no place in a respectable and noble profession like medicine. If they look at cadavers with amusement, I shudder to think of helpless and convalescing patients under their care. And to those who claim that this is dark humour, I say, ‘Go climb a tree!’ Insulting donors and their families does not constitute comedy. On the contrary, be grateful for their thoughtfulness and altruism. If you have no kind words for them, just keep your mouth zipped.

Also, shedding crocodile tears on a video is getting boringly repetitive now. Try something new!

I’ve Zero Chills? Thank You!

Comedy is a difficult genre to ace, be it in literature or in films. Our parents swore by Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and Wagle Ki Duniya. The subsequent generation found amusement from the Diwan family in Dekh Bhai Dekh. Somewhere along the way came Jaspal Bhatti, who used satire to point fingers at society and government.

My all-time favourite remains Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. When did the decline begin?

The clean comedy of Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave way to the mindless mayhem of Masti and its spawns.  Shriman Shrimati was funny, but the theme was utterly misogynistic. The less said about Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai, the better! As a nation, we seemed to have shrunk in class and sophistication. After watching an excruciating few minutes of trash masquerading as humour, I seek the company of Hyacinth Bucket (Oops! I mean, Bouquet) or Mungerilal to cleanse my emotional palate. And if that makes me an old-fashioned hag, so be it. At least, I don’t seek out even 15 nanoseconds of fame to validate my existence on this earth. Let’s celebrate humour in its best form and call out the misdeeds ruining its reputation.

By Narayani V Manapadam

“Narayani is an IT Professional lost in the dreary world of Excel. When time permits, she loves to get lost in the maze of Word(s). But nothing makes her happier than being a cat momma to her beloved Uttam.”

She can be contacted at fraunara@gmail.com.