{"id":18024,"date":"2026-06-10T18:54:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T13:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebengalstory.com\/english\/news\/-2026-06-10-18024\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T18:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T13:26:05","slug":"himanshu-jangra-fired-gurugram-rs-370-biryani-remark-starvik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebengalstory.com\/english\/celebs-news\/himanshu-jangra-fired-gurugram-rs-370-biryani-remark-starvik-2026-06-10-18024\/","title":{"rendered":"Gurugram Firm Fires Web Developer Over Rs 370 Biryani Remark; Founder Also Faces Online Flak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Bengal Story Bureau<\/strong> | GURUGRAM: A Gurugram-based design and branding firm has fired one of its employees, web developer Himanshu Jangra, after a clip from comedian Pranit More’s stand-up show, in which Jangra said he had expected sexual favours from a woman after spending Rs 370 on biryani during a date, went viral on social media. The dismissal was announced by Starvik Design founder Vivek Vishwakarma in a video posted on Instagram and X on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision has split opinion online. While many users have backed the firm for acting decisively, others – including Jangra himself – have argued that workplace termination is a disproportionate response to remarks made outside the office, leading to a parallel wave of criticism against Vishwakarma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Was Said on Stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The controversy began with a crowd-work segment at a recent show by comedian Pranit More, a contestant on Bigg Boss 19. Jangra, 23, was part of the audience interaction. He narrated an account of a date during which he had paid Rs 370 for a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home afterwards, he said in Hindi, “Maine kaha ki Rs 370 lage hain to use to wasool to karunga hi” – broadly, that having spent the money, he expected a return on it, referring to physical intimacy. He also described persuading the woman to accompany him to a park despite her apparent hesitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pranit More was seen laughing during the segment. Clips of the exchange surfaced online over the weekend and drew sharp criticism, with users describing the remarks as a clear example of entitlement and a misunderstanding of consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Backlash Built<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the clip spread across Instagram and X, social media users identified Jangra and linked him to his employer, Starvik Design. The company said it received hundreds of emails, calls and messages over a 24-hour period demanding action. Jangra issued a public apology and subsequently deactivated his Instagram account. Pranit More also apologised on his Instagram story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That did not end the matter. Several prominent content creators and influencers, including Elvish Yadav and Kusha Kapila, weighed in publicly, with much of their criticism directed at the comedian for laughing along rather than pushing back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Company’s Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In his video announcement, Vivek Vishwakarma said the firm had conducted an internal review. “Let me be very clear, the statements shown in those clips are offensive. They are not something I agree with. They are not something our company stands for, and they certainly should not be influencing young minds,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vishwakarma added that the internal review found no complaints about Jangra’s conduct at work – colleagues, including women employees, had described him as professional, respectful and hardworking. The dismissal, he said, was based on reputational impact and the company’s responsibility to its team and clients. “What happened outside the workplace has now affected the workplace, and I have a responsibility towards the company, our team, our clients, and the environment we create here,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why the Boss Is Now Under Fire Too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vishwakarma’s decision has itself become contested. A section of social media users has argued that an off-duty remark – however objectionable – should not cost an employee his livelihood. Others have called the firing performative and disproportionate, accusing the company of bowing to a viral mob rather than applying a workplace policy. Vishwakarma’s own social media accounts have since been flooded with critical comments from both sides of the debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters of the move have countered that an employee’s public conduct can legitimately affect an employer’s brand, particularly in client-facing creative-services firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bigger Debate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The episode has reopened a familiar Indian internet debate: how far an employer should go in policing speech made outside work, where the line lies between accountability and disproportionate punishment, and whether stand-up comedy crowd work – which routinely places audience members on tape – is being held to new standards. Legal experts have noted that private-sector terminations based on reputational grounds are not unusual in India, but the speed and visibility of such cases have grown sharply in the social-media era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jangra has not made any public statement since deactivating his Instagram account. Pranit More has not commented further beyond his initial apology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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