Gaurav Taneja’s Latest Affairs: PR Stunt or Honest Struggle?

Locked Out and Left Behind

Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast) had an unexpected social media crisis. This time, it wasn’t about his YouTube vlogs or Instagram reels but his LinkedIn account. For over 48 hours, the influencer was locked out, unable to access his professional network.

Frustrated, Gaurav took to X and publicly sought help from LinkedIn India. But instead of sympathy, netizens filled the comments section with humour and sarcasm and took his case!

One user joked, “Sir, you’re an entrepreneur! Create another LinkedIn!” Another joked, “You’re a good influencer but a terrible app operator.”

While the situation was unfortunate, many wondered if it was just a PR stunt or a calculated promotional move. One way or the other, some influencers always want to be on the news. What can we do about it?

Shark Tank India: The Reality Check

Just as Gaurav dealt with LinkedIn troubles, he also made deals on Shark Tank India Season 4. He appeared on the show with his business partner, Raj Gupta, to pitch their fitness and wellness brand, BeastLife.

At first, the pitch seemed promising. Gaurav proudly shared that the brand made INR 1 crore in sales within an hour of launching its password-protected website. But the excitement didn’t last long.

Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, delivered a brutal verdict:

“You are a good influencer but a terrible entrepreneur so far. I am sorry, but you can’t outsource entrepreneurship.”

The other sharks, Vineeta Singh, Peyush Bansal, and Aman Gupta, expressed similar concerns. They were sceptical about BeastLife’s long-term growth, dependence on Gaurav’s image, and unclear business model.

Aman Gupta even pointed out that since Gaurav held only 30% equity in the company, he could walk away anytime, leaving investors stranded. In the end, no deal was made. He is only on Shark Tank because he is an influencer with a reliable fan following.

Influence vs. Entrepreneurship

The LinkedIn incident and the Shark Tank rejection have raised bigger questions. Can social media influence translate into real-world success for him?

His massive following didn’t impress people about LinkedIn or convince the sharks to invest. While Gaurav’s ability to sell is undeniable, entrepreneurship demands more than just an audience. It requires long-term strategy, adaptability, and deep business understanding.

Whether this was a publicity move or an honest setback, one thing is sure: Gaurav Taneja knows how to stay in the spotlight. But will he turn his setbacks into a solid comeback? That’s a story only time will tell