Shark Tank India is stepping into a new chapter, and this time the spotlight isn’t just on the entrepreneurs walking into the tank but also on the panel itself. Season 5 introduces a fresh face, though one deeply familiar to viewers: Varun Alagh, CEO and Co-founder of Honasa Consumer and husband of former judge Ghazal Alag. With Ghazal stepping away from the panel this year, Varun is taking her place, marking one of the most talked-about updates to the show’s lineup.
Here’s the thing. Varun isn’t just another investor with a cheque book. His company, Honasa Consumer, is the force behind some of India’s most influential personal-care brands including Mamaearth, The Derma Co, Aqualogica, and Ayuga. These brands didn’t just break into a crowded market. They built emotional resonance, leaned heavily into digital-first storytelling, and tapped into a new wave of conscious consumers. That experience promises to add a different kind of sharpness to the deliberations inside the tank.
Speaking about joining the show, Varun said the country’s startup ecosystem is standing at a major inflection point. In his words, India is being shaped by bold founders who are redefining ambition and rewriting the rules of business. He sees Shark Tank India as a platform that pushes entrepreneurs to think bigger, not just in terms of scale but in the kind of impact their ideas can have on society. His excitement comes through clearly, especially when he talks about backing ideas that can change categories and lift communities.
What this really means is that the show now has an investor who has built a massive consumer empire by understanding people, not just products. Varun’s journey from brand builder to entrepreneur is rooted in empathy, digital agility, and long-term thinking. His presence gives the panel a stronger backbone of consumer-centric strategy at a time when many startups are fighting for attention in an overcrowded digital world.
This season’s lineup brings Varun together with Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Kunal Bahl, and Mohit Yadav. That mix alone suggests a wider range of expertise for founders stepping into the tank. With Varun’s arrival, the conversations are expected to tilt even more toward sustainable growth, brand storytelling, and customer-focused innovation.
Since its debut in 2021, Shark Tank India has offered viewers an unfiltered look at the grit, chaos, and ambition behind Indian entrepreneurship. Each season has highlighted businesses trying to solve real-world problems, often with limited resources and oversized dreams. Season 5 aims to carry that momentum forward. With Varun Alagh on the panel, the show’s lens widens just a bit more to include the kind of brand wisdom that often decides whether a startup becomes a household name or fades into the noise.
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