The highly anticipated fifth season of Shark Tank India premieres tonight, promising sharper scrutiny and higher stakes from the panel of investors. A recently released promo has already set the tone, showcasing a fiery confrontation where sharks Anupam Mittal and Aman Gupta grilled a pitcher from Jaipur for identifying himself as a 'Doctor' while pursuing a degree in aromatherapy.
The 'Kaand' Question: Sharks Question Credibility
In the promotional clip, the sharks are seen intensively questioning the qualifications and business metrics of the entrepreneurs, or 'pitchers'. The spotlight fell on influencer Dr Manoj Das from Jaipur, who presented himself as a naturopath and aromatherapy specialist. The tension escalated when Kunal Bahl asked to see the ratings and reviews on his website, which revealed a score of 3.5 based on 50 reviews.
Anupam Mittal expressed immediate skepticism, suggesting the reviews might have been paid for—a claim the pitcher refuted. Mittal countered, questioning how someone selling 'Rs 5 crore worth of inventory' could have only 50 reviews. Aman Gupta chimed in, saying, "Kuch gadbad hai, sir," (Something is wrong, sir), while a visibly frustrated Anupam Mittal directly asked the pitcher, "Tum kya kaand karne aaye ho?" (What mischief have you come to do?).
The 'Doctor' Debate Takes Center Stage
The confrontation reached its peak when Anupam Mittal challenged the pitcher's use of the title 'Doctor'. Questioning the legitimacy of the claim, Mittal stated, "If you're telling me that you're doing a bachelor's degree in aromatherapy and adding 'Doctor' to your name, then I'll change my own name." This moment highlights the sharks' increased focus this season on rigorously vetting the foundational credibility of the entrepreneurs who enter the Tank.
The promo also featured other intense moments, including sharks grilling another entrepreneur on funding sources. When asked how he was funding his venture without raising capital, the pitcher revealed he had invested his lifetime savings, a home loan top-up, and a gold loan, pinning his hopes on securing the right mentorship from the show. Aman Gupta quickly posed a counter-question, asking what would happen if he didn't receive that crucial advice.
Shark Tank India's Journey and Record-Breaking Success
Since its debut in December 2021, Shark Tank India has become a cultural phenomenon, flooding the internet with memes and viral clips. It successfully carved a niche as India's first business reality show to capture mass attention around startups and entrepreneurship. The inaugural season featured around 35 episodes and recorded an average TRP of 0.6, translating to over 20 million viewers in its opening week.
The show catapulted sharks like Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, and Peyush Bansal to nationwide fame. While Season 2 maintained steady viewership, Season 3 drew approximately 4.5 million weekly viewers. However, Season 4 proved to be a watershed moment, clocking over 178 million views and reportedly achieving OTT viewership 102% higher than Bigg Boss OTT 3.
The fourth season was also notable for significant deal-making, with sharks committing nearly Rs 94.8 crore to startups. Reflecting on the show's evolution post-Season 4, Anupam Mittal noted on LinkedIn that deals of Rs 1–5 crore per company had become common, indicating more reasonable valuations and founders coming to the Tank for legitimate deals.
According to a Financial Express report, the show witnessed 100% user growth across 42 Tier-2 markets after shifting to an OTT-first release model. As Season 5 begins streaming, it aims to continue this legacy of drama, tough questions, and transformative business investments.
