Namita Thapar’s Honest Remark on LGBTQ+ Acceptance in India Sparks Debate

‘As a country, we are not ready yet’: Namita Thapar to Queer Entrepreneur on Shark Tank India 4

In a recent episode of Shark Tank India 4, entrepreneur Randhir Pratap Singh pitched his brand Subculture, which focuses on fetish fashion. While he impressed the panel with his confidence, did he manage to secure a deal? Read on to find out.

Randhir’s Pitch on Shark Tank India 4

Randhir, who comes from an Army family and has traveled across India, described himself as the “colorful sheep” of his family. He introduced Subculture and asked for Rs 50 lakh in exchange for 7% equity in his business.

During the pitch, Aman Gupta noticed Randhir’s accent and curiously asked if he had lived abroad. When Randhir said he had never left India, Aman followed up with, “Then where did you get the accent from?” Randhir explained that his partners were not Indian. Aman further asked, “But your parents are Indian, right?”

What Did the Sharks Say?

Anupam Mittal asked about Randhir’s family’s thoughts on his business. Randhir revealed that although they follow him on social media, they don’t discuss his work. He also spoke about the struggles he faced while building his brand.

As part of his pitch, Randhir showcased his products and even handed some to the Sharks. Aman Gupta’s reaction to receiving a flogger made everyone laugh. Holding it in his hand, he asked with surprise, “Why did you pick this one for me?”

Namita Thapar then asked if most of Randhir’s customers were from the LGBTQ+ community. Randhir confirmed that 60% of his buyers were queer individuals. Namita shared her own experience of hosting a health podcast episode on LGBTQ issues, where she received a lot of hate and trolling. She reflected, “That shows us that as a country, we are not ready yet.” She advised Randhir to grow his business organically before looking for investments and praised him for his bravery.

Did Randhir Get a Deal?

Despite an interesting and bold pitch, none of the Sharks invested in Subculture. However, Randhir left with encouragement from the panel, who appreciated his vision and confidence.

Also Read: Rajesh Kumar on Anupamaa Cast Exits: Is Rupali Ganguly the Reason?