Shark Tank India's Unusual Exit: Aman Gupta Escorts Persistent Bindi Entrepreneur
Shark Tank India Season 5 delivered a memorable and somewhat awkward moment when a passionate entrepreneur from Bengaluru refused to leave the tank after her pitch, ultimately requiring Aman Gupta to physically escort her out. The incident occurred during an episode featuring Meghna Khanna, founder of The Bindi Project, who presented her premium handcrafted bindis to the sharks.
The Pitch That Wouldn't End
Meghna Khanna entered the tank seeking Rs 50 lakh in exchange for 10% equity in her business, valuing The Bindi Project at Rs 5 crore. She described her bindis as symbols of "divine feminine energy" and showcased unique, elaborate designs. Despite completing her formal presentation, Meghna's enthusiasm kept her rooted in place, continuing to engage with the sharks beyond the allotted time.
Anupam Mittal tried on several bindis during the pitch, quipping, "Forget divine, I am in touch with my feminine side." However, the sharks quickly identified significant issues with the product quality and business fundamentals.
Sharks Identify Critical Flaws
The panel, including Namita Thapar, Kunal Bahl, Shaily Mehrotra, Anupam Mittal, and Aman Gupta, raised multiple concerns:
- Product Quality Issues: Anupam pointed out that the bindis and accompanying glue lacked premium feel, with some products literally falling apart in his fingers.
- High Price Points: Namita noted that bindis priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 required impeccable quality, which was absent.
- Market Awareness Gap: When questioned about competitors like Shilpa and Shingar, Meghna demonstrated limited knowledge of their revenue or distribution channels.
- Business vs. Project: Aman Gupta observed that The Bindi Project appeared more like a passion project than a scalable business venture.
Meghna did mention receiving a response from celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor after sending numerous DMs, but this wasn't enough to convince the investors.
The Unforgettable Exit
As all five sharks declined to invest, with Kunal Bahl wishing her luck in creating a "bindi revolution," Meghna remained visibly excited and continued speaking. Anupam Mittal interrupted with laughter, saying "Idhar se jana bhi hai" (You have to leave as well), prompting Aman Gupta to stand up and escort her out while saying, "Chalo, aapko bahar chhodke aaye" (Come, let's drop you outside).
Shark Tank India Season 5 Investment Landscape
This incident occurred against the backdrop of an active investment season:
- Aman Gupta leads with 18 deals worth Rs 19 crore
- Namita Thapar follows with 16 deals worth Rs 11.2 crore
- Anupam Mittal holds third position with 14 deals worth Rs 9.9 crore
The episode highlighted both the intense passion entrepreneurs bring to Shark Tank India and the sharks' firm boundaries when business fundamentals don't align with investment criteria, even when it requires unusual measures to conclude a pitch.
