The latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5, airing on SonyLIV, delivered one of the most brutally honest and confrontational pitch sessions of the season. An entrepreneur from Vadodara faced the collective ire of all five sharks for presenting a business that, after four years of operation, has yet to generate any revenue.
A Costly Dream to End Hunger
Shubham Upadhyay, founder of Planyt, entered the tank seeking Rs 1.05 crore for 6.5% equity, placing a valuation of Rs 16.15 crore on his company. He presented a plant growth device utilizing a patented 'fogponics' technology, which he claimed was originally developed by NASA and later perfected by his team. His stated mission was ambitious: to help end hunger.
However, the sharks' skepticism turned to shock as details emerged. Shubham revealed that his company, founded in 2021, is still pre-revenue. He admitted to selling only 80-100 units in four years, all at discounted prices. The most staggering revelation was the cost: a standard family of five would need to invest a minimum of Rs 7.5 lakh in Planyt products. Furthermore, the devices require 24x7 electricity to function, a significant drawback highlighted by shark Amit Jain.
Sharks React with Fury and Disbelief
The pitch quickly unraveled, leading to sharp and personal critiques from the panel of investors.
Anupam Mittal's reaction was particularly fierce. When Shubham mentioned being "heavily funded" by the government, Anupam expected a figure in crores. Learning it was only Rs 10 lakh ignited his anger. "Tujhe sharam nahi aayi? (Have you no shame?)," he demanded. Anupam accused Shubham of being delusional and labeled his venture a hobby for the rich, calling it "shaukeen" and "ameeron ke chochle." He questioned how such an expensive product could possibly address hunger and was the first to exit the deal.
Aman Gupta was equally dismissive, using Gen-Z slang to call the entrepreneur "delulu" (delusional). He termed the product a "useless machine" and stated that even if offered 50% equity for just Re 1, he would not accept it.
While Namita Thapar was more polite in her delivery, her message was just as final: she advised Shubham to shut down the business. Ritesh Agarwal encouraged him to rethink his core motivation, and Amit Jain suggested exploring alternative applications for his technology that could be commercially viable.
Pitcher's Defiant Exit and Hope for a Return
Walking out of the tank without a deal, Shubham Upadhyay addressed the camera, expressing offense at Anupam Mittal's comments, which he felt were "personal" and "uncalled for." He specifically took issue with the "sharam nahi aayi" remark, asserting he was not ashamed of his government grants or his business journey. Despite the harsh feedback, he termed it a "good experience" and even wondered aloud if he could return to the tank in the future.
The episode, which aired on January 9, 2026, underscored a fundamental clash between visionary passion and hard-nosed business reality, leaving viewers with a memorable lesson on the importance of market fit, unit economics, and realistic valuation.
