Shark Tank India season 5 witnessed one of its most controversial moments when Dr. Manoj Das, founder of aromatherapy and naturopathy brand Lewisia Wellness, faced a scathing response from the Sharks. The proposal has been widely described as one of the harshest rejections in the program’s history.
Manoj Das, who bills himself as an aromatherapist and naturopath, sought Rs 1 million for a 1% stake in his company, valuing it at Rs 100 million. It claims Lewisia Wellness uses only natural ingredients in its range of skin, hair and wellness products and has a large social media following, including more than 600,000 followers on Instagram and 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube.
Also Read: Part-time Rapido user from Bengaluru shares earnings of Rs 1,820 over a period of 4 days
However, the Sharks raised multiple concerns during the release. Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, questioned the brand’s positioning and pointed out that despite claiming to avoid chemicals, the products themselves contained chemical components. Mohit Yadav of Minimalist questioned the concept of “chemical-free” products, emphasizing that even water is technically a chemical.
While reviewing clips from Manoj’s social media accounts, Anupam Mittal of Shaadi.com highlighted that the brand’s growth seemed driven more by provocative content than product effectiveness. It accused the founder of making unfounded claims, exploiting consumers’ insecurities and misusing the title “doctor” without proper qualifications. Mittal warned that such practices could have legal consequences and said, “Manoj, aap social media par ho isliye nazar nahi aa rahe, lekin jab aaoge toh sidha jail jaaoge.”
Aman Gupta echoed the concern and described the problem as serious if the title was used incorrectly. The incident left the panel visibly frustrated, marking a dramatic moment in the program’s launch in early January, which featured a mix of veteran Sharks and new investors.
Also Read: Swiggy launches EatRight to tap growing demand for health-centric food in Tier 2 cities
Shark Tank India remains a prominent platform in India’s business landscape, combining the excitement of reality TV with high-stakes mentorship. Season 5 promises candid feedback and rigorous scrutiny for startups, as exemplified by the intense scrutiny Lewisia Wellness faces.
First published on January 6, 2026 2:55 p.m.