The latest season of Shark Tank India has seen the entrance of a new face, Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Zomato. As he takes on the role of a judge, Goyal’s detailed feedback and distinctive approach have sparked discussions, with viewers drawing comparisons to former judge Ashneer Grover.
Fans have taken to social media platforms to share their thoughts, with some affectionately dubbing Goyal as a “soft Ashneer Grover” or “Ashneer Grover lite.” The comparison gained traction following a specific segment where Goyal critiqued a fitness start-up, WTF, over its business pitch. Goyal raised concerns about the team’s attention to detail, pointing out a mistake in the phone number and grammatical errors in their presentation.
Goyal’s emphasis on precision struck a chord with viewers, who appreciated his insights into the significance of small details, particularly in professional settings such as job applications. The Zomato CEO’s approach to the show has garnered admiration on social media, with users commending his attention to minor but impactful aspects of the pitches.
In a notable interaction with the start-up owners, Goyal questioned their commitment to their brand, stating, “You don’t love your brand enough? Show some love and respect to your customers. A CV gets rejected in two seconds if there is a typo. Why should you get more than two seconds (to make a mark)? You are on national TV. Check if it’s correct or not. Check it for yourself, not for me. Check it for your customers, businesses, and partners. You’re actually letting them down. Is that cool?”
This particular moment has led to social media users speculating whether Deepinder Goyal is becoming the new Ashneer Grover on Shark Tank India Season 3. One user pondered, “Are we going to see a new Ashneer Grover in making here?” While another declared, “Deepinder Goyal is the new soft Ashneer Grover in Shark Tank India S3.”
When Shark Deepinder Goyal goes into ‘Shark-mode’! 🫣🦈
Stream new episodes of Shark Tank India Season 3, from Mon-Fri 10 PM, on Sony LIV.#SharkTankIndiaSeason3OnSonyLIV#SharkTankIndia #SharkTankIndiaOnSonyLIV pic.twitter.com/641OhRECVR
— Shark Tank India (@sharktankindia) January 24, 2024
Viewers commended Goyal’s ability to provide spot-on insights and appreciated his casual yet impactful communication style. Some users even suggested that Goyal could be the next Ashneer Grover, albeit in a milder version.
Despite the positive response to Goyal’s participation, a section of the audience expressed a continued longing for the return of Ashneer Grover to the show. Viewers conveyed their sentiment, stating, “Ashneer Grover ke Bina Maja nehi Ata hai” (No fun without Ashneer Grover). However, Ashneer Grover has consistently mentioned in interviews that he has no plans to return to Shark Tank India.
As Shark Tank India Season 3 unfolds, the dynamics among the judges and the fresh perspectives brought by Deepinder Goyal continue to keep audiences engaged. Whether Goyal becomes the “new Ashneer Grover” or maintains his own distinct presence on the show, viewers eagerly anticipate more episodes to see how the entrepreneurial journey unfolds in the tank.