Shark Tank India 5: Anupam Mittal issues jail-time warning to Rs 100 crore valuation-seeking founder. 'You should leave'

Shark Tank India returned with its fifth season on January 5, and the opening episode quickly turned controversial. One of the earliest pitches of the season featured Lewisia Wellness, a natural skincare, haircare, and wellness brand founded by Manoj Das, who introduced himself as “Dr Manoj Das.” He sought an investment of ₹1 crore in exchange for 1 per cent equity, placing the company’s valuation at ₹100 crore. What followed was a sharp grilling from the Sharks and one of the harshest rejections seen on the show so far, according to media reports and the episode broadcast.

During his presentation, Manoj Das described himself as an aromatherapist and natural therapist. He explained that he entered the beauty industry in 2003 after completing a beauty culture course and later trained beauticians through seminars across India. Years later, he moved into content creation, building a large following on YouTube and Instagram by sharing beauty and wellness tips. He said this digital success encouraged him to launch Lewisia Wellness in 2020.

The brand currently operates across four categories—Skin Affairs, Lewisia In-organics, Wellness Beat, and Tatvam. Das said the company initially launched a sunscreen product but had to rework its branding due to trademark issues. He also claimed that more than half of the brand’s sales come directly through its website.

Claims under scrutiny

As the pitch progressed, the Sharks began questioning the credibility of the founder’s claims. Clips from Das’s social media content were shown, many of which promoted quick results for skin and hair concerns using home remedies. The panel expressed concern that such content leaned heavily on unverified and pseudoscientific ideas.

Further doubts were raised when Aman Gupta and Mohit Yadav pointed out that some Lewisia Wellness products contained preservatives such as sodium benzoate, despite being marketed as “chemical-free.” Mohit Yadav explained that presenting products as completely free of chemicals is misleading, since everything, including water, is technically a chemical.

Valuation, reviews, and trust issues

The Sharks were also unconvinced by the business metrics. Das claimed the brand had achieved multi-crore sales, yet its ratings on online marketplaces were low, with limited customer reviews. The panel felt that a company with such sales numbers should have had significantly more verified feedback, which raised red flags about transparency.

Anupam Mittal questioned whether any clinical studies had been conducted to support claims around hair growth and skin treatment. When it became clear that no such testing had been done, the Sharks expressed serious doubts about the legality and ethics of making medical-style promises.

The ‘doctor’ title controversy

The turning point of the pitch came when the Sharks challenged Das’s use of the title “doctor.” Anupam Mittal and Aman Gupta stressed that presenting oneself as a doctor without recognised medical qualifications could mislead consumers and invite legal trouble. Mittal warned that operating under such claims could lead to serious consequences, including jail time, once authorities take notice. 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."

Namita Thapar called the approach unethical and urged the founder to reflect on the impact of his actions. Kunal Bahl added that appearing on a public platform like Shark Tank India had at least exposed these practices to viewers, helping them stay informed.