Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 14: Comedian Pranit More has issued a fresh public apology and appealed for a second chance after facing widespread backlash over a viral crowd-work video that drew criticism for remarks perceived as derogatory towards women.

The controversy erupted after a clip from one of More's performances featured a 22-year-old audience member, Himanshu Jangra, making comments that many social media users found offensive. The video quickly spread online, triggering criticism from influencers, activists and members of the public.

Although More deleted the video and Jangra later deactivated his Instagram account, the clip continued to circulate widely across social media platforms. The incident sparked discussions on misogyny, comedy ethics and accountability in public performances.

The matter also drew the attention of the National Commission for Women (NCW), which took suo motu cognisance of the issue. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the Haryana Director General of Police seeking prompt action, including registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The commission also issued notices to both More and Jangra, directing them to appear before it on June 22.

In a new video statement, More said he had wanted to address the controversy earlier but was unable to do so after his Instagram account was suspended.

Acknowledging the criticism directed at him, he admitted that he had exercised poor judgment during the performance.

The comedian said he became carried away by the audience's reactions and failed to intervene when the controversial remarks were made. He admitted that he could have stopped the comments and taken a stand during the performance but did not do so.

More further stated that by allowing the exchange to continue, he inadvertently provided a platform that contributed to the controversy escalating.

He apologised to everyone who felt hurt by the incident and said he was cooperating with authorities in connection with any legal proceedings arising from the matter.

Requesting forgiveness from his audience, More said the episode had been a significant learning experience and pledged to work on both his personal conduct and professional content in the future.

The apology received mixed reactions online, though several supporters and fellow entertainers welcomed his willingness to accept responsibility.

Actor Kunickaa Sadanand, who appeared alongside More on a reality show, said everyone makes mistakes but not everyone has the courage to acknowledge them. She expressed hope that people would forgive him while also calling for greater respect towards women.

Reality television personality Shehbaz Badesha praised More for accepting responsibility for his actions, while television actor Kishwer Merchant urged him to be more mindful of his future content and crowd interactions.

Several fans also extended support, encouraging the comedian to learn from the experience and move forward positively.

The controversy has reignited discussions about the boundaries of comedy, crowd-work performances and the responsibilities of entertainers when audience interactions cross acceptable limits.