iWorld
Namita Thapar takes pioneering partial exit from Rare Planet investment at 3.5x return
Mumbai: In 2021, Shark Tank debuted in the Indian market, providing a valuable platform for a diverse range of entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses. One remarkable success story from the show is Rare Planet, now recognised as India’s largest airport retailer. Rare Planet’s outstanding performance in the last two years after securing a deal on the show has now created a landmark achievement marking the way for the first-ever exit for a Shark with a 3.5x return on their investment. Started as a venture in the first year of BTech by Ranodeep Saha and later joined by Vijaya Kumar TR as co-founder, the success of this company stands as a testament to the opportunities and recognition that Shark Tank India has brought to aspiring entrepreneurs in the country.
Ranodeep Saha’s exceptional pitch with co-founder Vijaya Kumar TR in Season 1 of Shark Tank India left a lasting impression on the sharks, particularly Namita Thapar. The pitch seamlessly integrated the company’s commitment to social responsibility, prompting Thapar to make an independent investment in the company. Within just two years of securing funding for the show, Rare Planet has achieved remarkable growth, witnessing a five times revenue increase and double-digit PAT profit.
Namita Thapar was impressed by Rare Planet’s remarkable revenue achievements and commendable impact on the lives of over 10,000 artisans. Since the initial investment by Namita and their appearance on Shark Tank India 1, Rare Planet’s footprint has expanded significantly by 12 times growth in stores across India. Starting from a presence in five airports, the company now operates in over 37 airports with 50 stores nationwide. The company has diversified its offerings, introducing Rare Planet Luxe, a luxury format, situated across multiple airports. This format will be extended further in new airports in the pipeline. Also, the new format SITARA for Indian Fashion Accessories brand across nine airports, and brand 2M minimart for convenience retail format across Tier 2 airports.
Rare Planet’s airport retail stores boast an extensive inventory of over 10,000 unique handcrafted items, and décor, ranging from mugs, copper bottles, cups, and plates, to Kulhads, along with stationery, jewellery, and accessories all created by more than 10,000 local artisans who are associated with the company. Notably, most of these artisans are women, pouring passion, hard work, love, and care into beautiful products every day. Beyond fostering artistic endeavors, Rare Planet is actively involved in making a positive impact on the lives of its artisans. The company contributes to education funds for the children of these artisans, thereby enabling them to dream big. This noble cause has resulted in over 8,000 artisans experiencing a substantial 180 per cent increase in their income, facilitating the education of over 1,000 children.
Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd executive director Namita Thapar: Rano stands out as a founder who personifies humility, determination, and an unwavering passion for supporting artisans. Meeting his parents in Kolkata left a lasting impression on me—the pride in their eyes while recounting his entrepreneurial journey truly touched my heart. This is one story to watch out for, “picture abhi baaki hai”.
Rare Planet co-founder Vijaya Kumar TR: Namita Ma’am has been a guiding force for us, meeting with us on multiple occasions to provide invaluable insights into our overall strategy. Her expertise, particularly in pricing and marketing, has played a pivotal role in our exponential growth.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
