Popular small-screen actress left TV. Today, she is earning more than Rs 2 crore per month. Who is Neha Marda?

She once won hearts with the popular TV serial Balika Vadhu. Today, Neha Marda is the owner of a flourishing business, valued at Rs 200 crore. According to a Your Story report, Private equity investor Ananta Capital has purchased a controlling interest in direct-to-consumer personal care brand Phitku through a deal worth approximately ₹100 crore. The transaction places the valuation of the startup, which has been operating for just 14 months, at nearly ₹200 crore.

Established in 2025 by Sumit Marda, Neha Marda, and Rahul Dokania, Phitku specializes in alum-based deodorants along with a range of personal hygiene products. According to the founders, it has remained profitable from the very beginning of its operations and has already catered to more than six lakh customers.

The former TV star recently shared her entrepreneurial journey on Shark Tank India. She revealed how the concept of an organic deodorant came to her when she dealt with body odour post pregnancy. “Post my pregnancy, I started feeling a little discomfort with my body odor. Being an actor, my confidence was shaken that day. Nothing actually worked to solve it,” she said.


It took her, her husband and her brother three years to research and develope the product before introducing it in the market. The founders aimed to reinvent traditional alum, a mineral widely sold in neighborhood markets, by turning it into a crystal roll-on deodorant. The product was created to help control body odour while using the natural antibacterial properties of alum to keep odor-causing bacteria in check.

Despite the steep price (Rs 999 per piece), the product developed a loyal client base and earned an impressive Rs 14 crore in just 10 months. Today, the company earns Rs 2 crore per month, claimed the actress.

Neha Marda is known for several popular TV shows such as Balika Vadhu, Doli Armaano Ki, Mamta etc. She left showbiz in 2021.