JioHotstar has launched a new business reality show for fashion enthusiasts titled Pitch To Get Rich. The series, which recently premiered with all eight episodes available for streaming, brings together some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment industries as “permanent angels.” The panel includes actor Malaika Arora, designer Manish Malhotra, filmmaker-producer Karan Johar, and entrepreneurs Darpan Sanghvi and Dhruv Sharma. In the first episode, 12 teams got 60 seconds each to pitch their business ideas, with only three earning a chance to enter the “boardroom” — the stage for serious business discussions.
Right from the start, Karan Johar stood out for his sharp, unfiltered opinions — often giving Ashneer Grover vibes. During one of the pitches, he bluntly said, “Nobody is getting bonus points from me for working hard.”
Elaborating further, he told the founders of Banana Club, “Everyone works hard. In this country, we overdo it. So no points for sincerity and hard work from me — that’s basic.”
Manish Malhotra quickly jumped in with a playful jab, “Karan, you never gave me credit for that either, even though I work hard day and night — especially for your films.”
To this, Karan shot back sarcastically, “I have seen your price tags — you are well-compensated for that hard work! And your turnover is…” leaving the panel in splits.
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The next pitch, from Banana Labs, also failed to impress Karan Johar. “I have to begin by saying I didn’t understand anything. Your pitch was theatrical — interesting to begin with, but it didn’t go anywhere. You had 60 seconds to make an impact, and you didn’t,” he said candidly.
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Throughout the episode, Karan’s fierce feedback earned him the label of “intimidating” from Manish Malhotra, a sentiment Malaika Arora and others agreed with.
When the brand Love Kiki presented her pitch — which Manish liked — Karan quipped, “I think she will need a second pitch,” preventing her from advancing.
An Amused Manish remarked, “I think with Karan sitting here, people are so intimidated.”
A surprised Karan responded, “Please don’t believe this bu*****t. I’m intimidating?” He then added humorously, “With gorgeous Malaika sitting here, we make a pair of beauty and brains.”
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To this, Malaika shot back, “I will give you the brain. Now give us a 60-second pitch about yourself.”
Karan replied with a grin, “I am available. That’s my pitch,” sending everyone into laughter.
Later, during a shoe brand pitch, Malaika Arora commented on India’s weak footwear manufacturing infrastructure. Manish Malhotra, however, disagreed: “I don’t agree with Malaika at all. In places like Agra, we have some fantastic shoemakers and leather artisans.”
Still unimpressed with the designs presented, he added, “Your shoes lack design. I would like you to pitch again.”
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Karan Johar immediately teased him, “Now you’re being tough.” Taking the cue, Manish softened his tone and encouraged the entrepreneur, saying he wanted to see more passion in their next attempt.
