Shark Tank India Season 5Namita Thapar has described her investment in Gen Z streetwear brand Bonkers Corner as the most significant deal she made this year. In an emotional post on X, Namita reflected on why founder Shubham Gupta stood out among a large group of entrepreneurs and why the presentation became a historic moment in the program.
Namita called it the first in the history of the Indian edition of Shark Tank and revealed that Shubham accepted her offer without waiting to hear counterproposals from the other sharks. “First time in the history of Shark Tank India, a founder accepts an offer without listening to offers from other sharks. That’s Shubham Gupta for you: a unique founder and truly my number one deal of season 5.”
From a business perspective, Namita Thapar said the fundamentals were hard to ignore. Highlighting the growth of Bonkers Corner, he noted that the brand’s expected sales for FY26 stood at Rs 180 crore with an EBITDA margin of 20 per cent, remaining fully driven. “Do I need to say more?” she asked.
Namita Thapar says Shubham Gupta’s story moved her
But he was quick to point out that the deal went far beyond financial metrics. What moved her most, Namita Thapar said, was Shubham Gupta’s personal journey. In her post, she recalls how she had to drop out of college after her father’s business went bankrupt, a period during which the family “lost everything, including their house.” According to Namita, Shubham’s ability to remain optimistic despite “pain, ridicule and rejection” is what, in her words, “real winners are made of.”
First time in the history of @sharktank.india, a founder has accepted an offer without listening to offers from other sharks!! But that’s Shubham Gupta for you, a unique founder and truly my number one offering of season 5! Bonkers expected sales for FY26 are 180 cr with 20% ebidta, totally… pic.twitter.com/PVgdATMNjA
-Namita (@namitathapar) February 1, 2026
Explaining her decision-making inside the tank, Namita said she deliberately chose to meet Shubham in her assessment. “I gave him a valuation of 300 million rupees, exactly what he asked for,” he wrote, explaining that he wanted to make sure the offer was “too good to refuse.” She added that the clarity and bond they shared during the speech only deepened after meeting him later. Pune.
The CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals also spoke about her personal pride in the founder and the brand. “I’m very proud of him and my whole family likes to wear Bonkers clothes,” she wrote.
Looking ahead, Namita Thapar outlined Bonkers Corner’s next priorities and stated that Shubham Gupta’s two biggest goals are offline expansion and technology, areas in which she and her mentor Mayank Nayak plan to support him. On a more personal note, he expressed concern about Shubham’s health and revealed that his intense work routine has taken its toll on him. “My biggest personal goal is to regain his health,” he wrote, adding that his weight has dropped to 47 kilograms.
Summing up the journey, Namita noted that Shubham “has been through hell and back,” but added that “from now on it will only be love and light for him.” He concluded by saying that “journeys like this deserve to be seen” and that founders like Shubham “deserve to be recognized.”
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A Shark Tank moment that left everyone stunned
The episode of Shark Tank India, with Shubham Gupta, unfolded dramatically. Shubham entered the tank seeking Rs 1.5 crore for 0.5 per cent equity, valuing Bonkers Corner at Rs 300 crore. Namita strongly agreed with the request, stating, “I’m not going to ask for royalty today because I want it to be too good for him to refuse.”
Anupam Mittal bowed out soon after, admitting he couldn’t match the deal on the table. Mohit Yadav also made an offer but reduced the valuation to Rs 200 crore, a move that failed to convince the founder. Aman Gupta then attempted to start negotiations, suggesting a longer back-and-forth process. “I’ll make you an offer and you’ll listen to other offers. Then I’ll say I don’t want to negotiate. We’ll waste a lot of time doing this. Tell me what should I do?” said.
What followed was a strange and unexpected turn in the show. Shubham Gupta accepted Namita Thapar’s offer instantly, without waiting to hear counterproposals from the other sharks.
Aman Gupta jokingly protested that he had not even been allowed to make an “exit speech”, while Kunal Bahl wondered aloud if others had been given the chance to bid. By then, Namita had already handed over her check.
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Building a Rs 300 Crore Brand
Bonkers Corner’s success story is rooted in adversity. After his family faced financial ruin, Shubham Gupta rebuilt himself from the ground up, turning a personal crisis into a business drive. Without external funding, he built Bonkers Corner into one of the most recognized Gen Z streetwear brands in India.
Today, the brand generates close to Rs 100 crore in annual revenue, with strong growth projections and healthy margins.