Balika Vadhu Actress Neha Marda Criticizes Shark Tank India 5's 'Daily Soap' Editing
In an exclusive revelation, Balika Vadhu actress Neha Marda and her brother Sumit Marda have openly criticized the editing of their pitch on Shark Tank India 5, comparing it to a dramatic daily soap opera. The founders of the deodorant brand Phitku shared their disappointment over how their nearly two-hour discussion was condensed into a mere 17-20 minutes, creating unnecessary suspense and misrepresenting the actual flow of events.
The Pitch and the Controversial Royalty Deal
Neha Marda, along with her brother Sumit and partner Rahul, entered the Shark Tank seeking an investment of Rs 1.8 crores for 1 percent equity in Phitku. The brand, which originated from Neha's personal struggle with body odor post-pregnancy, offers a deodorant stick made with refined alum. While they successfully secured the deal, it came with a significant condition: paying a 3x royalty amounting to Rs 5.4 crores to Sharks Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal.
Reflecting on the decision, Sumit Marda explained, "Different people look at it differently. Our negotiations went on for 15-20 minutes, which wasn't shown. We wanted Sharks who have built successful businesses to help us scale. We view the royalty as a consulting fee. Since we are highly profitable, giving royalty is less painful than diluting equity."
Editing Drama and Misrepresented Discussions
Neha Marda expressed her frustration with the edited episode, stating, "The episode felt like a telecast of a daily soap drama. We were in the tank for almost two hours, and what aired was around 17 to 20 minutes. The intense questioning by the Sharks seemed exaggerated; there was never so much discussion. The resolution where they understood our point didn't get telecast."
Sumit added, "This was my first experience seeing how music and editing can transform a pitch into a suspenseful narrative. When we watched, even we wondered what would happen next. Just before the ad break, it seemed like we wouldn't get the deal, but we never felt that way during the actual pitch."
Addressing Amit Jain's Concerns
During the pitch, Shark Amit Jain raised concerns about the founders including GST in their revenue figures, questioning if it was done to inflate valuation. Sumit clarified, "It's our normal pitching style to share gross figures first, then net revenue. Amit had some confusion about GST inclusion, which we cleared during the pitch. The show's format compresses 90-120 minutes into 20 minutes, and editing is done to create curiosity."
He emphasized that the Sharks' investment validated their transparency, saying, "If two top Sharks invested, it means everything was cleared. But yes, it was dramatized more than necessary."
Business Growth and Future Plans
Despite the editing controversies, the Phitku brand has witnessed remarkable growth post the episode. Sumit revealed, "Before Shark Tank India, we were doing business of Rs 7 lakhs per day, approximately Rs 2.1 crores gross per month. Now, we are at Rs 35 lakhs per day, a 5x surge. We anticipated a 3 to 5x growth, but sustaining it is the real challenge."
The founders are also in advanced talks to close a fund worth 2-3 million dollars and maintain regular contact with investors Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal, with a meeting scheduled in Mumbai soon.
Neha Marda's Transition from Acting to Entrepreneurship
Neha Marda, who has won 27 best actress awards, shared insights into her shift from acting to business. She said, "Becoming an entrepreneur wasn't my initial vision. I never planned to be an actor either; it happened unexpectedly. Similarly, with business, I am learning every day. I haven't completely left the industry; this is just another chapter in my life."
She compared the Shark Tank experience to academic pressure, noting, "It felt like giving 10th and 12th board exams simultaneously. I've taken money from producers, but pitching to investors was entirely new."
Sumit, who has pitched to multiple investors before, highlighted the unique environment of the show, "The ecosystem changes with makeup, lights, and five Sharks firing questions at once. It was a different ball game altogether."
The Phitku founders' candid revelations shed light on the behind-the-scenes realities of reality TV, emphasizing how editing and production techniques can significantly alter viewer perception while celebrating their strategic business decisions and subsequent growth.
