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Do entrepreneurs pay to become sharks on Shark Tank India? Aman Gupta reveals it all

Aman Gupta, a judge on Shark Tank India, disclosed that while some entrepreneurs become sponsors, he has never paid to be a shark.

Updated on: Jan 16, 2026, 17:15:55 IST
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The business reality television series Shark Tank India began in 2021, and since then, entrepreneur Aman Gupta has been one of its judges. In a recent conversation with Humans of Bombay, Aman revealed the name of his favourite shark and also addressed a burning question — whether entrepreneurs pay to be sharks on the show.

Aman Gupta as a shark on Shark Tank India.
Aman Gupta as a shark on Shark Tank India.

Aman Gupta reveals this about sharks on Shark Tank India

When asked if entrepreneurs pay to become permanent or episodic sharks on Shark Tank India, Aman replied, “I hope the Shark Tank India makers don’t scold me for saying this. I think you become a sponsor, and there are some sponsors of Shark Tank India who come.”

He clarified that he has never paid to be a shark on the show and added, “It’s been happening for the last few seasons. I don’t pay to be a shark, but some of them become sponsors and then come for a weekend.” The entrepreneur also shared that his favourite shark is Namita Thapar and revealed that he does not like all the sharks on the show.

Recently, Aman made headlines after stepping down as the chief marketing officer (CMO) of the electronics brand boAt Lifestyle. However, he continues to remain the co-founder, director and promoter of the company. Explaining his decision, Aman said that over the past few years, the founders had taken the company to a certain level and that he now believes it is time for professionally run management to lead the brand into its next phase of growth.

About Shark Tank India

Shark Tank India is the Indian adaptation of the American show Shark Tank. The series features entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of investors, known as sharks, who decide whether to invest in their ventures. The show’s fifth season premiered on January 5, 2026, with Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, Kunal Bahl, Viraj Bahl, Ritesh Agarwal, Amit Jain, Mohit Yadav, Kanika Tekriwal, Shaily Mehrotra, Hardik Kothiya and Varun Alagh joining the panel. The show is available to stream on SonyLIV.

  • Riya Sharma
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    Riya Sharma

    Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More

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