Aman Gupta Gets Candid: Why He Thinks New Sharks Are Trying to Fix Their Image
Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt and one of the OG judges on Shark Tank India, isn’t holding back. In a recent conversation on Prakhar Gupta’s YouTube channel, Aman took a swipe at some of the newer judges on the show, saying they joined not for the love of business—but for image-building.
“They saw Anupam and me become heroes and got FOMO,” he said, making it clear that not everyone came into the tank with clean intentions.
Old Sharks vs. New Sharks: What’s the Real Vibe?
Since Season 1, viewers have grown attached to sharks like Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal, and Vineeta Singh. They’ve become more than just investors—they’re relatable, quirky, and, for many, inspiring.
But Aman says the vibe has shifted.
“I like those whose companies are doing well. They’re not here to fix their reputation. I don’t want to name anyone because that’ll cause controversy, but some people initially rejected the show. Then, when they saw us become popular, they chased the makers to be added as sharks,” Aman revealed.
He didn’t name names, but the Season 4 additions include tech investor Kunal Bahl, Veeba Foods founder Viraj Bahl, and Rayazon Solar director Chirag Nakrani.
“My Character Has Always Been the Same”
Aman also stressed that he hasn’t changed despite the fame.
“We don’t do any useless stuff,” he said. “Love us or hate us, this is who we are. Namita’s always been clear about where her expertise lies. I’ve lived life my way and I’ve never been afraid of owning that.”
The Fame Trap: Aman’s Take on Ego in Business
He warned that success can mess with people’s heads.
“A lot of people get a god complex. The media starts writing about them, their families praise them—and then, boom, it all goes to their head. Even my mom says, ‘Even Ravan couldn’t control his ego.’ That’s something I always remember.”
From Jobless to boAt: Aman’s Real Journey
Before Shark Tank, Aman wasn’t raking in crores. In fact, he didn’t make any money for nearly five years while building boAt.
“When I quit JBL, I sat at home jobless for 4–5 years. I didn’t earn anything, but I was happy. I was doing what I loved, building great products for consumers. Money came later.”
He co-founded boAt in 2016 with Sameer Mehta, and today, it’s one of India’s biggest audio electronics brands.
Chase Passion, Not Money
Aman believes the best results come when you stop chasing money and start chasing purpose.
“Like Krishna told Arjuna in the Mahabharata—‘Karma karo, fal ki chinta mat karo’—just do your work, forget the results. If you chase your shadow, it runs away. Same with money.”
Final Thoughts
Whether or not you agree with Aman, his message hits home: Keep your head down, stay real, and focus on the work—not the fame. And if you’re joining Shark Tank India, come for the right reasons
