'Kya Kaand Karne Aaye Ho?': Anupam Mittal Slams Pitcher In Shark Tank India 5'S Harshest Rejection -Here's What Happened

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Touted as one of the most controversial moments of Shark Tank India Season , Dr Manoj Das's pitch ended in what many are calling the most brutal rejection in the show's history.

The founder of the aromatherapy and naturopathy brand Lewisia Wellness faced intense backlash from the Sharks, leaving them visibly irritated and unconvinced.

Who is Dr Manoj Das?

Manoj Das introduced himself as an aromatherapist-a practitioner who uses essential oils and aromatic plant extracts to promote physical and emotional well-being.

Also Read | Shark Tank India Season 5: Full list of judges, when and where to stream

He later launched Lewisia Wellness, which he claimed relies solely on natural ingredients for its skin, hair, and healthcare products. He has more than 600,000 followers on Instagram and 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, according to media reports.

What happened?

Manoj sought an investment of ₹1 crore for a 1% equity stake, valuing his company at ₹100 crore. However, as the pitch progressed, the Sharks raised multiple concerns about the brand's business model, product claims, and credibility.

Aman Gupta, co-founder and CMO of boAt, questioned the brand's positioning, telling the founder,“You say you are troubled by chemicals, yet your products themselves contain chemicals.”

Also Read | 33,000% in 4 yrs! Aman Gupta's Shark Tank bhujiya chips bet pays off

Mohit Yadav, co-founder of skincare brand Minimalist, also challenged the claim, explaining that everything is technically a chemical.“Even water is a chemical,” he said, adding that calling products“chemical-free” is misleading and that he disagreed with such messaging.

As the Sharks reviewed clips of Manoj's social media reels-where he promised hair regrowth and blemish-free skin, Anupam Mittal, founder and director of Shaadi, pointed out that the business growth appeared to be driven by provocative content rather than product credibility.

He stated that the claims made in the videos were baseless and accused the founder of exploiting people's insecurities about theirappearance.

Watch here:

Anupam also questioned Manoj's use of the title“doctor,” asking whether an aromatherapist and naturopath was legally entitled to use it.

Anupam asked,“Pehle ek baat batao, aap aromatherapist aur natural therapist ho-kya usmein aap 'doctor' likh sakte ho?”

He added that if merely doing a bachelor's degree in aromatherapy allowed someone to use the title, he would change his own name, warning,“Due diligence mein pakde jaaoge.”

Aman remarked,“Kuch gadbad hai, sir,” while Anupam questioned sharply,“Tum kya kaand karne aaye ho?”

Anupam Mittal lost his temper with Manoj Das, accusing him of misleading Indian consumers. He said,“Manoj, aap social media par ho isliye nazar nahi aa rahe, lekin jab aaoge toh sidha jail jaaoge. I think you should leave, and I won't even wish you good luck.”

Aman echoed the concern, calling it a serious issue if the title was being used without proper qualification.

Shark Tank India 5

Shark Tank India returned on 5 January 2026, featuring an expanded panel of investors that blends familiar faces with business leaders making their debut on the show.

Manoj, aap social media par ho isliye nazar nahi aa rahe, lekin jab aaoge toh sidha jail jaaoge.

Over its five seasons, Shark Tank India has carved a distinct place in Indian media by combining competitive reality TV with hands-on business mentorship.

Also Read | Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal sparks debate on 35% hike demand for changing jobs

Season 5's mix of veteran Sharks and fresh voices highlights both proven expertise and the growing breadth of India's entrepreneurial landscape. With its early January launch, the series promises high-stakes pitches, candid feedback, and potential deals that could shape the nation's start-up ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Credibility and transparency are crucial for startup success.
• Misleading marketing can lead to severe backlash from investors.
• Shark Tank India continues to challenge entrepreneurs on ethical business practices.

MENAFN06012026007365015876ID1110560890