Munawar Faruqui says stop trolling Pranit More: There has to be a limit

Actor-comedian Munawar Faruqui urged people to stop trolling Pranit More and others over their controversial remarks during a comedy show. He said they have already faced serious consequences and asked people to let the legal process take its course.

In Short

• Munawar said the stage exchange was wrong but outrage needs limits now
• He said an FIR, job losses and reputational damage have followed
• The row began after a Gurugram crowd-work clip spread widely online

Actor-comedian Munawar Faruqui has urged people to stop trolling comedian Pranit More and others over the objectionable remarks they made during a comedy show. In a video shared on his Instagram Stories, Munawar said those involved, including Himanshu Jangra and Sejal Pawar, had already faced serious consequences, and the matter should not be dragged further for online content.

Munawar said he did not agree with what was said during the crowd-work segment at More's show. He said the comedian had said something very wrong, the exchange on stage was wrong, and he also disagreed with what the woman said. At the same time, he said there had to be a limit to the outrage and the public should now step back.

While his video statement is unavailable on his Instagram account now, it is going viral on social media.

Addressing his followers, Munawar said, "Mujhe lagta hai ab hum sabko tham jana chahiye. Comedian ne bahut galat baat boli, crowd work mein bhi bahut galat baat hui. Us ladki ne bhi jo bola, main usse disagree karta hoon. Unhone jo bola, mujhe sunna pasand nahi hai, lekin ek level hota hai

Translated to: "I think all of us need to stop now. The comedian said something very wrong, and what happened during the crowd-work segment was also deeply problematic. I also disagree with what that woman said. I did not like hearing any of it, but there has to be a limit."

He added that an FIR had already been filed, jobs had been lost, careers had been damaged, and societal respect had been affected. He said enough had already happened because of what was said and asked people to stop turning the issue into content.

Munawar also said those involved had already received the wounds of their actions. He warned that people often realise they have gone too far only when something irreversible happens.

He concluded by saying, "Un logon ne jo baat boli, uska zakhm unhe mil gaya. Jab kisi ki laash niklegi na, tab tumhe samajh aayega. Bas karo ab. Har cheez ki ek limit hoti hai. Legally unpar jo hona hoga, ho jayega, par tum ab chup ho jao (They have already suffered enough for what they have said. By the time someone loses their life, people will finally realise they went too far. Enough now. Everything has a limit. Whatever legal consequences they are supposed to face will happen, but the public outrage and relentless piling on should stop)"

How the controversy began

The controversy began after a clip from Pranit More's stand-up show in Gurugram was circulated on social media. In the clip, 23-year-old audience member Himanshu Jangra spoke about going on a date and paying Rs 370 for a plate of chicken biryani. He then suggested that because he had spent that amount, he deserved a return on his investment.

In the widely shared clip, Jangra said that since he had spent Rs 370, he would recover that amount. The remark drew criticism online. More also faced backlash for laughing and giving him the platform to speak during the show.

The controversy deepened after a video of Sejal Pawar surfaced, wherein she made derogatory comments regarding medical cadavers and male bodies used for educational purposes.

After the backlash, Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra and Sejal Pawar issued fresh apologies in separate video statements. More also released a second apology and asked for a second chance to improve as a person.

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