‘Puri Daal Hai Kali Hai’: Shark Tank’s Anupam Mittal calls out Maharashtra trio for exorbitant finances.

Three founders from Maharashtra joined the Shark Tank India platform to launch Ezo, designed to help small shopkeepers track sales. A panel of Sharks including Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Ritesh Agarwal, Kunal Bahl and Aman Gupta listened intently as the founders said their aim was to reduce attrition in small businesses. However, the noise quickly resolved, revealing deeper issues.

The founders explained that their revenue model involves selling billing machines to merchants and acquiring them through subscriptions. When asked if they’ve tried renovations, they admit they haven’t been in business long. Despite this, they expected to earn Rs 30 crore, leaving the sharks confused. A deeper dive into their finances revealed their use of questionable accounting practices.

Namita Thapar breaks down the difference between cash flow and accounting as a group, emphasizing that the latter provides a clearer picture of business performance. She clearly stated, “Accrual Accounting paints a more accurate picture of a business and is always the preferred method.

Anupam Mittal, visibly unfazed, commented, “Puri daal hai kali hai boss.” He dismissed the founders’ claim that the accounting choices were unconscious, saying, “You’re a professional. Don’t pretend you don’t know what you’re doing. Namita agreed, calling the issue not just an accounting issue but an issue of integrity.

Ritesh Agarwal and Namita Thapar walked out of the deal because they lacked confidence in the business and advised the founders to adjust their accounting practices. Aman Gupta, explaining his business acumen, said, “Do you want to break the subscription model in a country where even Amazon and Netflix are struggling? Don’t make money with shady practices.”