Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Neha Marda Turns Post-Pregnancy Problem Into Phitku Business
Neha Marda is an actor who also started a company called Phitku.
After pregnancy, she looked for a product that could help with body odour.
She learned about phitkari, also called alum, and tried to develop it into a convenient roll-on.
Her brother Sumit thought the idea could become a business.
The team spent about a year and a half researching and testing the product before launching it.
Some investors on Shark Tank India questioned its price and concept, while Marda says customers continued to buy and give feedback.
Phitku has also launched a Mouth Paste and is working on more products.
Marda says acting is still important to her and she has not ruled out returning to television.
Actor Neha Marda says Phitku grew from her search for a solution to body odour after pregnancy.
Her brother Sumit saw a business opportunity in the alum-based product she had found for herself.
Marda says the company spent about a year and a half researching, developing, testing and improving its roll-on before launch.
Her Shark Tank India pitch brought visibility and mixed feedback, including criticism that the product was overpriced or gimmicky.
Phitku has since launched Mouth Paste, while Marda says she remains committed to acting and will consider suitable roles.
- Who
- Actor and entrepreneur Neha Marda, her brother Sumit, and the Phitku team.
- What
- Marda developed Phitku after seeking a solution to body odour following pregnancy; the company sells an alum-based roll-on and has launched Mouth Paste.
- When
- The product took about one and a half years to research and develop before launch; no specific dates are given.
- Where
- India; the interview discusses Phitku and its appearance on Shark Tank India.
- Why
- Marda says she initially wanted to solve a personal problem, while her brother recognised the potential to turn the solution into a business.
Critics' concerns
Marda's response
Price and product concept
Critics' concerns
Shark Tank India investors described the product as overpriced and gimmicky; the interview also raises the question of why an alum product costs Rs 999.
Marda's response
Marda says Phitku is a finished consumer product, not raw alum, and that its price reflects formulation, development, testing, quality control, packaging, manufacturing and other costs.
Evidence of market acceptance
Critics' concerns
The investor criticism questioned the product's price, category and business model.
Marda's response
Marda says consumer purchases, repeat use and feedback mattered more to the company than any single episode or comment, and that Shark Tank provided visibility.
- Founder
- Neha Marda
- Brand
- Phitku
- Initial product
- An alum-based roll-on deodorant intended to address odour rather than mask it with fragrance
- Origin of idea
- Marda's search for a solution to body odour after pregnancy
- Development period
- About one and a half years
- Business partner in the origin story
- Marda's brother Sumit identified a market opportunity
- Expansion
- Phitku has launched Mouth Paste and is developing other products
- Shark Tank India response
- Marda describes the feedback as mixed and says the appearance brought visibility