Two days following the termination of Himanshu Jangra from his job at a Gurgaon-based firm, a company spokesperson has provided insights into the rationale behind this significant decision. Jangra was dismissed after making an inappropriate joke about a “Rs 370 biryani” during a stand-up comedy performance by Pranit More, which quickly gained notoriety online. Vivek Vishwakarma, the founder of Starvik Design, where Jangra was employed, noted that the ensuing backlash began to negatively impact client relations.
“Every post received numerous negative comments. Two potential clients withdrew from negotiations as this situation unfolded,” Vishwakarma explained. He emphasized that the decision to terminate Jangra was a necessary business move, stating, “My work was being affected.” He clarified that the dismissal was not a personal matter and mentioned that Jangra had ceased attending the office two days prior to his termination due to discomfort with the situation.
Vishwakarma further elaborated that he conducted an internal review of Jangra’s behavior before arriving at the decision. “The team described him as a professional, respectful, hardworking, and well-mannered individual,” he reiterated, affirming Jangra’s usual conduct in the workplace. “Although the comments were offensive, that was not the person I recognized at work — it was a completely different persona. I understand his mindset; he is generally a good employee,” he shared with NDTV.
Initially, Vishwakarma regarded the “Rs 370 biryani” remark as a personal issue but continued to maintain a professional relationship with Jangra. He never directly addressed the controversy with him, though Jangra voluntarily explained, “Sir, I felt the atmosphere at the show was comfortable, and I got carried away. I didn’t anticipate that it would go viral.” Vishwakarma advised him to choose his words more carefully in the future.
Although Vishwakarma is no longer in direct contact with Jangra, he has learned that the young man has returned to his home in Haryana and has severed all communication. “His family and friends are aware of the situation. He is receiving threatening calls and has isolated himself,” claimed Vishwakarma.
Vishwakarma expressed sympathy for Jangra, considering his young age and background. “For a 22-year-old from a small town in Haryana facing this kind of scrutiny — he was already somewhat of an influencer,” he remarked. “The public’s outrage is understandable. I hope Himanshu takes time to reflect on this experience and learns from it.” He previously stated, “A person can make a serious mistake and should face consequences. However, we should not become a society that believes individuals cannot learn, reflect, apologize, or change. Social media backlash is no light matter, especially for a young mind.”
Moreover, he criticized comedian Pranit More for mishandling the incident. More not only shared the video on social media but was also seen laughing at Jangra’s joke. In the viral clip, Jangra suggested that after spending Rs 370 on a biryani date, he expected a return on his investment in the form of intimacy. More commented, “Peak Gurgaon behavior,” in response. Following the widespread criticism, More has since apologized and deactivated his Instagram account.
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