How A ₹370 Biryani Joke Sparked Debate On Consent, Dating Culture And Male Entitlement On Social Media
A joke involving a ₹370 biryani bill has triggered a wider conversation on social media about consent, dating expectations and the normalisation of problematic attitudes towards women.
The discussion began after a clip from Indian comedian Pranit More’s stand-up show went viral, with many viewers laughing at a story that critics argue reflects deeper issues related to male entitlement and rape culture.
In the viral clip, a man narrates how he spent ₹370 on biryani for a woman and later felt uncomfortable when she asked him to drop her off at home.
The punchline revolves around his thought that he had not yet “recovered” the money he spent on her. The audience laughed, and the moment was described on stage as “peak Gurgaon content.”
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However, the joke quickly drew criticism online. Many social media users argued that the humour was not really about splitting a restaurant bill or recovering travel expenses.
Instead, critics said the joke implied that because a man spent money on a woman, he expected something in return, specifically romantic or sexual access.
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The controversy has reignited discussions around consent and transactional thinking in modern dating.
Critics and YouTubers argue that the mindset reflected in the joke is rooted in the belief that spending money on a date creates an obligation.
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According to them, this way of thinking reduces relationships and interactions to transactions rather than mutual choices based on respect and consent.
The debate has also focused on the role of comedy in shaping public attitudes.
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While some defended the clip as harmless humour, others argued that jokes can normalise harmful beliefs when audiences repeatedly laugh at ideas that portray women as owing something to men in exchange for gifts, meals or attention.
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Commentators have pointed out that rape culture is not limited to criminal acts alone. They argue that it can also be reinforced through everyday conversations, jokes and social attitudes that blur the line between consent and expectation.
From dismissing inappropriate behaviour as harmless fun to assuming that kindness or financial spending should be rewarded with intimacy, these attitudes often become normalised over time.
Following the backlash, Pranit More addressed the controversy on Instagram Stories, clarifying that an audience member made the remarks in question and did not reflect his personal views.
The comedian said his intention was not to endorse or celebrate the comment. He could have criticised the mindset behind the statement rather than supporting it, and expressed regret that the clip had been interpreted differently when viewed out of context.
More also stated that he does not support attitudes that undermine consent or treat relationships as transactional, adding that they have removed the video from all social media platforms.
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