Aman Gupta’s Reality Check Amid BluSmart Crisis: “Jo Bhi Karo Dil Se Karo”

Introduction

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As India’s startup ecosystem grapples with funding winter and operational hurdles, Shark Tank India’s Aman Gupta has offered a timely reality check to aspiring entrepreneurs. Speaking in the wake of BluSmart’s reported crisis, the boAt co-founder urged startup founders to build with passion and resilience—underscoring the importance of sincerity over hype.

BluSmart, one of India’s most ambitious electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing platforms, has recently been in the spotlight over layoffs, delayed salaries, and a funding crunch. Gupta’s message didn’t directly name the startup but clearly resonated with the ongoing challenges faced by many new-age ventures.

Here’s a breakdown of Aman Gupta’s message, the context behind it, and what it means for India’s ever-evolving startup landscape.

Aman Gupta’s Message

In a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter), Aman Gupta wrote:

“Jo bhi karo, dil se karo. Investors ka paisa lena, media mein dikhna, aur PR karna asaan hota hai. But real game hai ground pe ladna.”

Translation: Whatever you do, do it with heart. Taking investor money, getting media coverage, and doing PR is easy. The real game is fought on the ground.

The statement quickly went viral, sparking debates among founders, VCs, and the broader startup community.

The BluSmart Backdrop

What’s Happening with BluSmart?

• BluSmart, once hailed as a promising EV alternative to Ola and Uber, is reportedly struggling with financial stability.
• Reports indicate:
  • Layoffs affecting over 100 employees
  • Delayed or unpaid salaries across departments
  • Difficulty in raising new capital despite prior successful rounds

Strategic Missteps?

• Critics cite aggressive expansion and high operational costs as key issues.
• Others believe the lack of strong unit economics and over-dependence on subsidies hurt scalability.

Why Aman’s Message Resonates

No-Filter Reality Check

In an ecosystem where valuation often trumps value, Gupta’s message strikes at the heart of what’s broken:

• Founders focusing more on media optics than product-market fit
• Lavish spending without sustainable revenue
• PR-driven growth that doesn’t match on-ground traction

Credibility Factor

As co-founder of boAt, a brand that has bootstrapped and thrived in a competitive market, Aman Gupta brings authenticity to the table. His words carry weight among budding founders and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

Reactions from the Ecosystem

Founders

• Some lauded Gupta’s honesty, saying more influential voices should call out startup vanity.
• Others questioned whether such comments help when many are battling real-world pressures.

Investors

• VCs echoed the sentiment, calling for a return to business fundamentals over hype cycles.
• Angel investors suggested that Gupta’s statement could reset expectations among early-stage founders.

Twitter/X Users

• Hashtags like #StartupIndia, #AmanGupta, and #RealityCheck began trending
• Memes, quotes, and personal anecdotes flooded social media platforms

Lessons for Indian Startups

1. Grounded Growth > Glamour

PR without product-market fit is short-lived. Focus on customer needs, not vanity metrics.

2. Financial Discipline

Spend wisely, especially when capital is scarce. Frugality isn’t weakness—it’s strategy.

3. Culture of Accountability

Entrepreneurs should prioritize team welfare, operational sustainability, and long-term impact.

Conclusion

Aman Gupta’s blunt advice lands as a wake-up call for India’s startup ecosystem, especially at a time when many unicorns are revisiting valuations, cutting costs, and restructuring operations. His message—though simple—urges entrepreneurs to realign their priorities.

In a country that celebrates innovation and hustle, the true test lies not in the headlines but in what’s built with grit and heart. As BluSmart and others navigate tough terrain, Gupta’s words may serve as both a caution and a compass.