Shark Tank India 5: Anupam Mittal's 'Maaro Mujhe' Moment Over Rejected Pitch
In a dramatic episode of Shark Tank India 5, two competing shapewear brands, Kurvvy and Invogue Fashion, captivated the Sharks, leading to significant investments and a moment of regret for investor Anupam Mittal. The episode highlighted the intense competition in the innerwear market and the Sharks' differing investment philosophies.
Kurvvy: The Size-Inclusive Brand That Won Namita Thapar's Heart
Kurvvy, a size-inclusive women's innerwear and shapewear brand, was founded by engineering students Anant Bhardwaj and Yash Goyal from Patiala. They pitched for Rs 1.2 crores in exchange for 2 percent equity, valuing their company at Rs 60 crores. The brand focuses on premium products tailored for Indian body types and price points.
Kurvvy reported a revenue of Rs 1.4 crores in 2024-25, with Rs 1.05 crores generated in September 2025 alone. Year-to-date, their business reached Rs 2 crores, though they have faced negative EBITDA. The founders impressed the Sharks with a 4.4 rating on Amazon and their background—Yash has experience in investment banking, while Anant excels in content creation.
Anupam Mittal revealed that he had met and rejected Kurvvy last year when their revenue was just Rs 2-3 lakhs. Upon learning their current success, he exclaimed, "Mujhe rone do, kuch laake maaro, main ne aapko decline kar diya tha jab aapki 2-3 lakh revenue thi." Aman Gupta humorously remarked, "You are not a good investor," adding a light-hearted twist to the tense moment.
Invogue Fashion: Aman Gupta's Rs 2 Crores Investment with Malaika Arora as Ambassador
Invogue Fashion, founded by 25-year-olds Madhav and Ragini Saxena from Delhi, presented a fashion-first approach to innerwear. They sought Rs 50 lakhs for 2 percent equity, valuing their brand at Rs 40 crores. The brand boasts actress Malaika Arora as its brand ambassador, which sparked debate among the Sharks.
Kanika Tekriwal questioned the choice of ambassador, suggesting a curvier, more relatable figure. Vineeta Singh echoed this sentiment, stating "Malaika won't be relatable." Despite this, Invogue Fashion showed strong financials: Rs 5 crores revenue in 2023-24 with 22 percent EBITDA, Rs 5.3 crores in 2024-25 with 17 percent EBITDA, and year-to-date sales of Rs 3 crores, albeit with a 10-12 percent burn rate.
Aman Gupta, impressed by the founders' achievements at a young age, offered Rs 2 crores for 20 percent equity or Rs 1 crore for 10 percent. After negotiations, he secured a deal for Rs 2 crores in exchange for 15 percent equity, emphasizing his belief in their potential despite concerns over their Amazon rating of 3.6-3.8 and operational mistakes.
The Sharks' Verdicts and Final Deals
For Kurvvy, Namita Thapar offered Rs 1.2 crores for 3 percent equity, praising the product quality. Anupam Mittal, regretting his earlier rejection, proposed Rs 2 crores for 5 percent equity. However, concerns over diluted equity from a Rs 4 crores bridge round led Vineeta Singh and Kanika Tekriwal to opt out. Ultimately, Kurvvy accepted Namita's offer of Rs 1.2 crores for 3 percent equity.
Invogue Fashion faced skepticism from other Sharks. Namita criticized the designs and finishing, while Anupam urged faster growth. Vineeta noted panic due to competition, and Kanika highlighted issues with manufacturing in China versus Made in India focus. Despite this, Aman Gupta's confidence in the founders' vision secured the deal.
This episode of Shark Tank India 5 not only showcased lucrative investments but also underscored the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, with Anupam Mittal's regretful "maaro mujhe" moment becoming a memorable highlight. The show continues to stream on SonyLiv and Sony TV, offering insights into India's vibrant startup ecosystem.
