The world of fashion entrepreneurship and celebrity banter has collided in the new reality show Pitch To Get Rich, streaming on JioHotstar. While the focus is on the business pitches of 14 budding fashion entrepreneurs, a recent episode went viral after an unexpected comparison was made by judges Karan Johar and Malaika Arora.
The On-Screen Remark
During a contestant’s presentation, the producer-director Karan Johar spontaneously interjected with a humorous query: “Aapko kya kisi ne kaha hai aap Shashi Tharoor jaise dikhte hai? (Has anyone ever told you that you look like Shashi Tharoor?).”
Malaika Arora quickly chimed in, extending the comparison beyond mere looks to include the contestant’s eloquence, stating: “Dikhte hai aur baat bhi karte hai vaise hi. (You look like him and even speak like him.)”
Shashi Tharoor’s Classic Response
The clip of the celebrity judges’ playful remark quickly circulated across social media platforms, eventually catching the attention of the man himself, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP, known for his impeccable wit and mastery of language, offered a perfectly dry, tongue-in-cheek response on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, suggesting the comparison was wildly off the mark:
“Must say to Karan Johar and Malaika Arora that it’s clearly been too long since they’ve met me.”
Fans Rush to the MP’s Defence
Tharoor’s playful comeback was instantly embraced by fans and followers, who not only agreed with his subtle disagreement but also rushed to his defence, showering him with compliments for his unique persona. Social media was flooded with reactions:
- One user commented with dramatic flair: “Seedhe the Emperor of Suave se hee compare kar diya uncle ji ko. (They directly compared the uncle to the Emperor of Suave!)”
- Another fan underscored the politician’s originality: “No wonder they forgot that fakes do not even come close to the original.”
- In a plea for a celebrity reunion, a comment read: “They clearly need a dose of your fabulousness! Time to schedule that reunion ASAP”.
- One user jokingly questioned the judges’ judgment: “Oh! Dear! From which angle? Both Karan and Malaika urgently need an eye test.”
The exchange provided a light-hearted, viral moment that showcased Shashi Tharoor’s ability to engage with pop culture with his signature sophistication, transforming an on-screen joke into an online win.
About Pitch To Get Rich
Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment (Karan Johar’s digital arm) and the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), Pitch To Get Rich is promoted as India’s biggest fashion-focused reality show. It features 14 budding entrepreneurs pitching their brands to a panel of judges and investors, which includes Karan Johar, Malaika Arora, and Manish Malhotra. The show also features guest appearances by celebrities like Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, Akshay Kumar, and Saif Ali Khan.