Neha Marda, who many people remember from the TV show Balika Vadhu, recently shared a very personal story about her life as a new mother. During an episode of Shark Tank India Season 5 in January 2026, she spoke about how her confidence took a big hit after she had her daughter, Anaya. It was a side of her that fans haven’t really seen before, as she moved away from her acting career to pitch her new business.
Why she started her own brand
The actress explained that after her pregnancy, she dealt with changes in her body that she wasn’t expecting. Specifically, she struggled with body odour that she couldn’t seem to control. She told the judges, “Being an actor, my confidence was shaken that day,” and mentioned that nothing she bought from the market seemed to help. This led her to create Phitku, a personal care brand that uses alum to help with the issue.
The sharks ask some difficult questions
Even though Neha is a famous face on TV, the sharks on the show treated her pitch with the same scrutiny as any other founder. They had several concerns about the product and how it was being sold.
Anupam Mittal questioned the product’s main selling point, asking, “What is the meaning of this fragrance-free promise? Is it just a gimmick?” He wasn’t sure if people would actually want a deodorant that didn’t have a scent.
Namita Thapar also pointed out the high price. At Rs 999, she wondered if the average person in India would be willing to pay that much when most other brands cost around Rs 100 or Rs 200. While Aman Gupta brought up her fame, asking if the brand’s success was mostly because of her celebrity status rather than the product itself.
Balancing motherhood and business
Neha’s journey to this point hasn’t been easy. Her pregnancy was physically demanding, and she has previously spoken about being rushed to the hospital and giving birth prematurely. Her weight also changed a lot during that time, going from 42kg to 79kg. While she has lost much of that weight since then, she has been very open about the fact that recovery is a slow process that involves more than just physical changes.
By sharing her story on such a public platform, Neha showed that even celebrities deal with the same insecurities as everyone else. While she is now focused on growing her business, she also hopes her experience helps other mothers feel less alone during their own recovery.