Shark Tank India is gearing up for its fourth season, bringing together a new panel of sharks and an engaging mix of ideas, debates, and business insights. Recently, Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal, two of the show’s most prominent entrepreneurs, shared their opposing views on the concept of work-life balance during an interview with Humans of Bombay.
Anupam Mittal presented a contrasting perspective, challenging the very idea of work-life balance for those striving to achieve extraordinary goals. He described the concept as a “big lie” for people who aim to create something remarkable. In his view, early career years should be marked by an all-in attitude, where individuals focus on building character through hard work and struggle.” When you struggle… success builds ego, but struggle builds character” he remarked. He also criticized the obsession with tracking hours as a measure of productivity, advocating instead for passion and dedication. He shared that his company’s hybrid work model has boosted productivity by 30%, allowing employees to achieve flexibility without compromising output.
Namita emphasized the importance of setting boundaries for employees. She argued that while founders and high-stake players might work long hours to grow their wealth, employees on fixed salaries should not be subjected to the same expectations. Highlighting the mental and physical toll of overworking, she pointed out that excessive hours can lead to serious health issues. Namita also spoke about the societal consequences of relentless work, urging people to spend time with their families. She remarked that the next generation is paying the price for this imbalance, stressing the need for reasonable work limits for employees, except during occasional high-pressure periods.
She said, “I will give you three data points, very specific data points. No. 1, when Emcure went public, it was $3 billion, my family owns 80 percent, so imagine the kind of wealth I am making. The founders, set of co-founders and top management, look at the kind of money they are making. Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, which is what we all do. But the employee? Today, my accountant is making a salary, he does not have the upside of putting in that kind of hours. If he is going to put in that kind of hours, my second data point is, he is going to have serious, serious, serious physical and mental health issues.”
The debate didn’t end there. Namita and Anupam’s contrasting philosophies sparked a lively exchange, with Namita interrupting Anupam to express her disagreement. She explained that while it may make sense for founders to work around the clock, ordinary employees shouldn’t be expected to sacrifice their well-being. Her arguments reflected her belief that sustained overwork is neither practical nor fair for the broader workforce. She denied to agree with Narayan Murthy’s proposal of working 70 hours a week.
In another recent press conference of Shark Tank India 4, Namita compared her fellow sharks to Bollywood celebrities. She likened Anupam Mittal to Jackie Shroff for his charisma, Aman Gupta to Shah Rukh Khan for his romantic energy, and Azhar Iqubal to the late Irrfan Khan for his quiet brilliance. Ritesh Agarwal was humorously called Alok Nath for his ever-smiling, fatherly demeanor, while the audience chimed in, dubbing Kunal Bahl as the Paresh Rawal of the group.
As the new season approaches, excitement is building around the fresh lineup of sharks and hosts. Alongside returning faces like Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, Vineeta Singh, and Namita Thapar, new sharks such as Azhar Iqubal, Varun Dua, and Viraj Bahl are set to join the panel. Sahiba Bali and Aashish Solanki will bring their energy to hosting duties, promising a vibrant dynamic.
Shark Tank India Season 4 is not just about business ideas; it’s a stage for compelling debates, personal insights, and moments of levity.