Understanding Shark Tank’s success in India

Shark Tank India has been one of Indian television's most unusual success stories. We unravel the mystery of how this seemingly technical business show became a sleeper hit.
If you ask any middle-class Indian household what their preferred mode of investment is, the answer will most likely fall somewhere between fixed deposits and mutual funds. Terms like equity, bull run, and gross margin would not be heard in a living room. That has changed in the last two months. And it's all because of a single television show.
Nobody expected Shark Tank India to be such a surprise success. The reality TV show has a straightforward concept that has proven successful in dozens of countries around the world. There are seven sharks—all successful entrepreneurs and industry titans—who listen to budding entrepreneurs pitch their businesses for investment from the sharks.
It was anticipated to succeed. Otherwise, Sony Entertainment Television would not have awarded it the Monday through Friday 9 p.m. time slot. But did anyone foresee that in the end, the sharks would be minor celebrities? Did we anticipate social media memes and influencers working with entrepreneurs? Did we anticipate seven businesspeople to appear on The Kapil Sharma Show? Furthermore, did we anticipate that people would analyze the items, presentations, and business models presented at the show? Definitely not!
shark Aman Gupta, co-founder, and CMO of boAt, recalled a recent occasion in which his father asked someone about ownership and investment after learning about their firm over an Instagram live discussion with the other sharks. This is a completely another level of communication, he said, "Yeh to alag hi level ki chat hai."
It might be argued that Indian families have long had conversations about candidates on Boogie Woogie and Indian Idol. But that's artistic. And although it might not be simple, it is simpler. Most people can distinguish between a performer with a melody and one who can't keep a tune. An excellent dancer can be enjoyed by most people. Business concepts, however, tend to be more technical. Supply chains, equity dilution, and profitability are all topics of discussion.
What caused this, then? One reason for this is that it stood out so much from the other reality shows now airing. No melodrama, but there was drama. There was but it wasn't nasty. Compared to most current "reality" TV shows, it felt more authentic. Maybe the creators of other shows can learn something from this. Authenticity is in high demand right now. However, it's not placed on a tasteless platter. The seven sharks in the episode have distinct personalities. Each is a distinct person and endearing in their own special way. Aside from the main idea, the show didn't adhere to any particular model. And it most likely did.
Everyone enjoys wealth. Unexpectedly, individuals also enjoy seeing others succeed financially. Over 20 years ago, Kaun Banega Crorepati demonstrated this. Additionally, Shark Tank India is a kind of continuation of such a program. Shark Tank India taught Indians that an idea can do the same thing, much as KBC had taught India that education could make you wealthy.
But like all concepts, Shark Tank India's success is not attributable to a predetermined formula. It's difficult to determine what factors contributed to this show's success and to what extent. And I'd call anyone's bluff if they claimed to have discovered the secret of how it operated. So long as you believe it to be that simple, feel free to reproduce it. Otherwise, all assertions, to use an infamous "Ashneerism," yeh sab dogalapana hai!