In the latest episode of Shark Tank India 5, Anupam Gupta, the co-founder of boAt, took a playful jab at OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal during a pitch by a premium dining startup called Early Morning Cartel. The startup, founded by brothers Neel and Rishiraj Kanwarjani from Mumbai, sought ₹2 crores for 5% equity.

Early Morning Cartel, which runs a multi-roaster cafe in Bandra and Kandivali, aims to elevate the coffee experience through events and a unique "Omakase-inspired" menu where chefs curate culinary journeys. During their pitch, Aman Gupta quipped that they weren't selling ₹999 rooms, a clear reference to OYO's budget-friendly hotel rooms, while emphasizing that the founders were offering a premium dining experience.

This isn't the first time Aman Gupta has engaged in banter with fellow sharks on the show. He previously had a face-off with Anupam Mittal, questioning why some of his companies had shut down, to which Mittal retorted with a comment about Gupta's job security.

Despite the initial humorous exchange between Gupta and Agarwal during Early Morning Cartel's pitch, both sharks ultimately collaborated to secure a deal with the Kanwarjani brothers.

Ritesh Agarwal has previously addressed his on-screen disagreements with Aman Gupta, stating that their competitiveness stems from a shared passion for supporting promising entrepreneurs. He emphasized that while they may have differing opinions on pitches, they maintain a strong friendship off-screen. Agarwal has also acknowledged that videos featuring their debates have been among the most viewed content online, highlighting the audience's interest in their dynamic. He added that they both believe in backing the entrepreneur and are similar in the way they think about life.

Shark Tank India 5 has already committed investments worth ₹32.90 crores across 30 pitches, with Kunal Bahl leading with investments of ₹10.31 crores. The show continues to showcase innovative brands and entrepreneurial spirit, with recent episodes featuring pitches from companies like Cinefai, an AI-powered cinematic production company, and Sampark, a smart connectivity tool for personal safety.

In another instance on Shark Tank India 5, Aman Gupta called a founder "pagal aadmi" (mad man) after the founder's fifth unsuccessful attempt to secure funding. Ritesh Agarwal advised the same founder to focus on live events and let go of the content business.