The fifth season of Shark Tank India has now opened its registrations for new entrepreneurs to participate. The channel created a buzz for the show's return with a teaser that took a jibe at Narayana Murthy 's controversial remarks on introducing 70-hour work weeks. He has previously stated that he does not believe in the concept of ' work-life balance ' and was saddened when India moved away from six-day work weeks. Reiterating his position, he stated at the CNBC-TV18's Summit last year, "I am sorry, I have not changed my mind. I'll take this with me to my grave."

The video depicted in tongue-in-cheek, with numerous imaginary CEOs whining about their employees leaving to establish their own enterprises. One of them complains about not being able to play golf since his employee isn't there to carry his luggage. Another person complains about having to take'sharing' rides to work in a helicopter. The promo accused wealthy CEOs of exploiting their employees for personal gain. A snarky voiceover urged potential candidates to continue enriching their wealthy bosses by not quitting their jobs or launching their own businesses.

The voice over to the video then shared with the vsuals of exhausted employees logging in from beyond the grave while CEOs party on a yacht played in the background. The voice over heard, "You can change (your bosses’) lives. So, please work overtime. Sacrifice your personal life, your hobbies, and your start-up dreams. Work 70 hours for your bosses, at least until AI doesn’t replace you. Keep working, so that your millionaire bosses become billionaires. Save your bosses, do not apply to Shark Tank India."

Several 'sharks' have previously expressed ideas about working 70 hours per week. Namita Thapar had shared on her LinkedIn post, "I strongly believe that a 70-hour work week is not only unsustainable but also detrimental to an individual's physical and mental well-being, and it's our responsibility as corporate leaders to establish reasonable working hours that prioritise employee well-being and long-term productivity. While founders and leaders may be willing to put in 20 hours a day due to significant financial rewards, this is not viable for regular employees who work for fixed salaries without additional upside. The consequences are severe - a 70-hour work week can lead to severe physical and mental health issues, absent parenting, and a lack of work-life balance, ultimately resulting in widespread employee misery and burnout. It's time for companies to rethink their approach to work culture and prioritise the well-being of their employees."