Back in February this year, entrepreneur Jeevika Tyagi, co-founder and CEO of the athleisure firm Aastey, hit headlines when she retaliated against Namita Thapar, a judge on Shark Tank India season three. Tyagi was upset with Thapar's comments regarding the brand's marketing expenditures in an episode of the show. Jeevika is currently seen on Reality Ranis of the Jungle, hosted by Varun Sood. The adventure-based reality show premiered on Discovery Channel on September 23, 2024.
Times Now/ Telly Talk India gets into an exclusive conversation with Jeevika Tyagi who spoke to us about her experience on Reality Ranis. She also opens up about the bitter experience she faced on Shark Tank.
Jeevika thought Reality Ranis was a fake show
Jeevika Tyagi tells us, "I have done a reality show before but it was just a 15-minute gig where I was presenting my brand. The production house of Reality Ranis was big so I signed up for it. But when I reached on the sets the first day, I found out that it was all real. I was a little upset about it. It was literally a jungle and my confidence just dripped. I was like I cannot do this. Within the first 10 minutes, I cried. This is a reality show where you just can't act. The jungle gets the better of you along with the wild Ranis."
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On her Shark Tank experience
When we bring up her controversy with Shark Tank India Season 3, Jeevika says, "The experience with Shark Tank was never pleasant. The journey wasn't easy. I still say that whatever I admitted to was 100 per cent true. Just because apke pas ek kursi hai aur ek muh hai iska matlab ye nahin ki aap kuch bhi bol denge. I truly believe that all things can happen with words of kindness."
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Jeevika had made an appearance alongside her co-founder Kanupriya Mundhra in an episode of Shark Tank India 3 this February. Vineeta Singh had criticised the duo while claiming that businesses that "easily" secure finance lacked "financial discipline." Namita Thapar said, “You took Rs 10 cr from the investors and spent the amount primarily on marketing? I am out.”
Later, Jeevika had argued that the episode's selective editing was dishonest because it gave her start-up a different impression.