Shark Tank India’s Ashneer Grover opens up about the time he lived in a refugee colony

When Shark Tank India returned for its highly anticipated second season, a number of viewers could not help but be disheartened by Ashneer Grover’s absence. The BharatPe founder had made a name for himself as one of the most ruthless sharks in the tank, and viewers clearly missed his zingers and brutally honest quips. But it seems that the founder’s journey to being one of the most popular entrepreneurs in the country was riddled with obstacles and difficulties.

In conversation with Times of India, Ashneer opened up about his childhood, and revealed that his grandparents had come to the country from Pakistan. They used to live in a refugee colony named Malviya nagar, where they had gotten some land to their name after the division of the same between their siblings.

Ashneer spoke of how his family and relatives had built their homes above each others’. So they all had lived in a house with different kitchens, but all together, like a colony. The businessman reminisced about how they had to earn for themselves and grow, as they had no backing in any way.

Even after leaving the colony when he had gotten a job in Mumbai, Ashneer still had a lot to overcome. He recalled how it was just he and his wife in the beginning, and he used to be taunted about how small his house was whenever his family came to visit.

After his exit from BharatPe, the businessman seems to be looking to dip his toe into politics. During his appearance on The Ranveer Show podcast, Ashneer said that he had a desire to become a minister some day, wanting to make an impact by being a part of ‘nation building’. Ashneer also said that all the murkiness he had experienced in life had prepared him to become a politician.

Watch the first season of Shark Tank India, featuring Ashneer, on SonyLIV.