Namita Thapar Celebrates Bonkers Corner as Her Most Meaningful Shark Tank India Deal
In a heartfelt reflection on her investment journey, Emcure Pharmaceuticals executive director Namita Thapar has declared her deal with Gen-Z streetwear brand Bonkers Corner as the most meaningful of Shark Tank India Season 5. The entrepreneur shared an emotional post on social media, detailing why founder Shubham Gupta's pitch stood out and became a landmark moment on the popular business reality show.
A Deal That Made History
Namita Thapar revealed that Shubham Gupta made history by accepting her offer without waiting to hear counter-proposals from other sharks. "First time in the history of Shark Tank India, a founder has accepted an offer without hearing offers from other sharks," she wrote. "That's Shubham Gupta for you — a unique founder and truly my number one deal of Season 5."
From a business perspective, the fundamentals were compelling. Bonkers Corner's FY26 expected sales stand at Rs 180 crore with a 20% EBITDA margin, all while remaining fully bootstrapped. "Need I say more?" Thapar remarked, highlighting the brand's impressive financial metrics.
The Human Story Behind the Numbers
However, Thapar emphasized that this deal transcended financial considerations. What truly moved her was Shubham Gupta's personal journey of resilience. She recalled how he had to drop out of college after his father's business faced bankruptcy, a period during which the family "lost everything, even their home."
"His ability to remain optimistic despite pain, taunts and rejection is what true winners are made of," Thapar wrote, expressing deep admiration for the founder's character and determination.
The Pitch That Captured Hearts
The Shark Tank India episode featuring Shubham Gupta unfolded dramatically. He entered seeking Rs 1.5 crore for 0.5% equity, valuing Bonkers Corner at Rs 300 crore. Namita Thapar matched this valuation exactly, stating she deliberately made the offer "too good to refuse."
Other sharks attempted to negotiate:
- Anupam Mittal bowed out, admitting he couldn't match the deal
- Mohit Yadav reduced the valuation to Rs 200 crore
- Aman Gupta attempted to open negotiations but was cut short
In a rare turn of events, Shubham Gupta accepted Namita's offer instantly, creating what Thapar described as "a Shark Tank moment that left everyone stunned."
Building a Rs 300-Crore Brand from Adversity
Bonkers Corner's success story is rooted in overcoming significant challenges. After his family faced financial ruin, Shubham Gupta rebuilt from the ground up, transforming personal crisis into entrepreneurial momentum. Without external funding, he scaled Bonkers Corner into one of India's most recognizable Gen-Z streetwear labels.
Today, the brand generates close to Rs 100 crore in annual revenue with strong growth projections and healthy margins. Thapar noted that her entire family enjoys wearing Bonkers clothes, expressing personal pride in both the founder and the brand.
Looking Toward the Future
Namita Thapar outlined Bonkers Corner's next priorities, noting that Shubham Gupta's two biggest goals are offline expansion and technology integration. She and his mentor Mayank Nayak plan to support him in these areas.
On a more personal note, Thapar expressed concern for Shubham's health, revealing that his intense work routine has taken a toll. "My personal biggest goal is to get his health back," she wrote, noting his weight has dropped to 47 kilograms.
Summing up the journey, Thapar reflected that Shubham has "been through hell and back," but added that "from now it's only love and light for him." She concluded by emphasizing that "journeys like these deserve to be seen" and founders like Shubham "deserve to be acknowledged."
The Bonkers Corner deal represents more than just a business transaction for Namita Thapar — it embodies the human spirit of resilience, determination, and the power of believing in entrepreneurs who overcome extraordinary challenges to build remarkable businesses.
