Shah Rukh Khan Co-Star Turns Entrepreneur, Bags Rs 2.5 Crore Funding on Shark Tank India 5

• What happened: Former Bollywood professional Rahul Vohra, along with friends, secured Rs 2.5 crore investment from Kunal Bahl and Mohit Yadav on Shark Tank India 5 for their brand, The Croffle Guys.

• Why it matters now: Their quirky food venture, combining croissants and waffles, is gaining nationwide attention after Shark Tank exposure.

• What changes for people: Fans and foodies can now explore Croffle stalls and stores, while aspiring entrepreneurs get a roadmap for turning niche ideas into scalable businesses.

• Who is affected: Food enthusiasts, first-time founders, and followers of Shark Tank India.

From Film Sets to Food Stalls
Rahul Vohra, who once shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and worked under Kabir Khan for nine years, decided to leave Bollywood after a fulfilling career in filmmaking to pursue entrepreneurship. Alongside Veer Pinto, Annaya Agarwal, and Amay Thakkar, he launched The Croffle Guys, offering a unique hybrid of croissant and waffle.

The idea sparked during a boys’ trip to Thailand and began humbly with small stalls at local events. Rahul recalls, “On the first day, no one knew what a croffle was. We had to offer free samples and explain it to people. Slowly, customers returned with friends and family, and word-of-mouth took off.”

Shark Tank India Breakthrough
The team approached Shark Tank India Season 5 asking for Rs 1 crore for 1% equity. Impressed by their creativity, prior film experience, and groundwork, Kunal Bahl and Mohit Yadav offered Rs 2.5 crore for 5% equity, which the founders accepted. Rahul explained, “Kunal has experience scaling QSRs, and Mohit provided insights to make the brand national. Their guidance aligns perfectly with our vision.”

Business Boost and Expansion
Before appearing on the show, The Croffle Guys already had three stores, including one in Santacruz. Post-show, footfalls have surged, social media following has grown, and a fourth store in Matunga was launched. Daily revenues reportedly rose by 30% shortly after the episode aired.

Life Lessons from Bollywood to Startups
Rahul credits Kabir Khan as a mentor who shaped his early career. “I grew from intern to co-directing a film, learning every aspect of filmmaking. Leaving the industry wasn’t easy, but this venture felt like the right step at the right time,” he said.

Roadmap Ahead
The team is hiring senior management, refining processes, and aiming to expand the Croffle brand nationally, with a focus on creating a scalable, cloud-first QSR model. Rahul emphasizes, “Everyone is putting in their time and effort. Each day is about building the larger brand and staying grounded.”