Anupam Mittal Criticises IIT Pitcher on Shark Tank India, Calls Product “Uninvestable”

The latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5 sparked strong reactions after investor Anupam Mittal publicly questioned the credibility of a pitcher who presented a digital wellbeing device.

The entrepreneur, Dhiraj Chaudhari — an engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur — introduced his brand Trring, a traditional rotary-style phone that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The device is designed as a solution to digital addiction and is described as a “purposely dumb device.”

Pitch Sparks Debate Among Sharks

Dhiraj sought ₹50 lakh in exchange for 7.5% equity, valuing his company at ₹6.67 crore. He claimed to have sold 160 devices in three months, priced at ₹3,666 each.

However, investors raised strong concerns.

Aman Gupta argued that lack of self-control cannot be solved by a physical product alone. He questioned whether the device truly addressed smartphone addiction and described it as a “gimmicky product,” exiting the deal.

Namita Thapar also criticised the business model, stating there was no clear evidence of market demand. She suggested that basic consumer research could have prevented launching a product without proven utility.

Kunal Bahl expressed surprise at the founder’s direction despite his strong academic background. He encouraged the entrepreneur to explore AI-driven, screenless audio-based solutions instead. He ultimately stepped away from negotiations.

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Anupam Mittal’s Direct Criticism

Anupam Mittal labelled the founder “misguided” and questioned his decision-making. He even asked whether Dhiraj had genuinely studied at IIT Kharagpur after hearing his approach to product development.

When Dhiraj confirmed his academic credentials and mentioned that he had been accepted into IIM Calcutta but chose not to attend, Mittal responded critically, stating that the entrepreneur needed mentorship and strategic guidance.

He concluded by declaring the startup “uninvestable.”

Founder Stands By His Vision

Despite the strong criticism and rejection from all sharks, Dhiraj maintained confidence in his idea. He described the feedback as harsh but said he remains committed to developing and expanding his business.

The episode once again highlighted how Shark Tank India often becomes a platform for intense debates around innovation, execution, and real market demand.