New Delhi: A fabricated notification mimicking food delivery platform Zomato has triggered renewed online conversations around consent, prompting the company to issue an official clarification and Mumbai Police to issue a strong public message.The incident unfolded on June 10 when a fake screenshot began circulating widely on social media. The image, designed to resemble Zomato’s characteristic witty push notifications, falsely showed the app sending users the message: “Should I send biryani? It is only 370.”The fake notification directly referenced a controversy that erupted days earlier after comedian Pranit More shared a crowdwork clip from his stand-up performance. In the video, a 22-year-old audience member stated that spending Rs 370 on chicken biryani during a date entitled him to physical intimacy to “recover” the amount. The remarks sparked widespread outrage, with influencers Kusha Kapila, Uorfi Javed, and Sakshi Shivdasani publicly criticising the statement and questioning the handling of the clip.The audience member, identified as Gurugram-based Himanshu Jangra, reportedly lost his job amid the backlash. Pranit More issued an apology, admitting he should have challenged the comments. More’s main Instagram account has since been deactivated and remains inaccessible.As the phrase “Biryani is dinner, not consent” gained traction online, several users mistook the fake screenshot for an authentic Zomato campaign. Zomato swiftly addressed the rumours in a black-and-white statement shared across its platforms: “Biryani is dinner, not consent. The screenshot of the distasteful notification you may have seen with our name is fake. We did not write or send it.”Mumbai Police joined the conversation with a creative public safety message. The force shared an image replacing the zero in Rs 370 with a plate of biryani and warned: “₹370 gets you one plate of biryani. Our lock-up serves free meals for a longer stay
.” The post carried the hashtag #BiryaniIsNotConsent.Known for leveraging topical moments to spread awareness, Mumbai Police’s intervention added a public safety dimension to the ongoing discussion.The episode has transformed a single comedy clip into a broader conversation on consent, accountability, and the responsibilities of creators and brands amid rapidly spreading viral content.Meta Description:
A fake Zomato notification referencing the Rs 370 biryani controversy has sparked fresh outrage and discussions on consent. Zomato issued a clarification denying the post while Mumbai Police warned against entitlement with a strong public safety message. The incident stems from comedian Pranit More’s stand-up clip featuring Himanshu Jangra, leading to job loss and apologies. The event highlights growing public discourse on consent in India.
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