Shark Tank India Season 5 witnessed one of its most intense and controversial moments when Dr Manoj Das, founder of Lewisia Wellness, faced a scathing rejection from the panel of investors. The pitch, which many are calling the most brutal in the show's history, left the Sharks visibly irritated and raised serious questions about business ethics and credibility in the wellness space.
The Pitch and The Staggering Valuation
Dr Manoj Das entered the tank seeking an investment of ₹1 crore for a mere 1% equity stake in his company. This pitch effectively valued his aromatherapy and naturopathy brand, Lewisia Wellness, at a staggering ₹100 crore. He introduced himself as an aromatherapist, a practitioner using essential oils for well-being, and claimed his brand relied solely on natural ingredients for skin, hair, and healthcare products. With a reported social media following of over 600,000 on Instagram and 3.7 million YouTube subscribers, he presented a business seemingly built on a large digital footprint.
Sharks Unravel Claims: "Everything is a Chemical"
The Sharks quickly pinpointed inconsistencies in the brand's messaging. Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, immediately challenged the founder's anti-chemical stance. "You say you are troubled by chemicals, yet your products themselves contain chemicals," Gupta stated. Mohit Yadav of Minimalist elaborated, explaining that even water is a chemical and calling products "chemical-free" is fundamentally misleading. The scrutiny intensified as the investors reviewed clips from Manoj Das's social media reels, where he made bold promises like hair regrowth and blemish-free skin.
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, accused the business of being driven by provocative content rather than product credibility. He stated the claims were baseless and accused the founder of exploiting people's insecurities about their appearance. The confrontation reached a new level when Mittal questioned the founder's use of the title "doctor," asking if an aromatherapist and naturopath was legally entitled to use it.
The Final Blow: Accusations of Misleading Consumers
Anupam Mittal's frustration peaked, leading to a now-viral outburst. He warned Manoj Das, "Manoj, aap social media par ho isliye nazar nahi aa rahe, lekin jab aaoge toh sidha jail jaaoge. I think you should leave, and I won’t even wish you good luck." Aman Gupta echoed the seriousness of the issue, calling it a major red flag if the title was used without proper qualification. The pitch concluded with all Sharks declining the offer, delivering a stark lesson on the importance of transparency and ethical marketing.
This episode, which aired after the show's return on 5 January 2026, highlights the evolving and critical lens through which Shark Tank India's expanded panel evaluates startups. The season blends veteran and new Sharks, focusing not just on numbers but on the foundational ethics of a business. The key takeaways for entrepreneurs are clear: credibility is non-negotiable, misleading claims trigger severe backlash, and investors are increasingly vigilant about exploitative marketing practices.
