1. Introduction
In October 2023, a viral marketing stunt by boAt, India’s leading audio brand, sparked a massive controversy involving its co-founder Aman Gupta and Elvish Yadav, the winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2. The incident led to public outrage, trending hashtags, and a heated exchange on social media.
This blog dives deep into:
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The full story behind the Aman Gupta vs. Elvish Yadav feud
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How boAt’s marketing strategy backfired
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Key lessons for brands on influencer marketing and reputation management
(Image Prompt: “Aman Gupta and Elvish Yadav facing off in a heated argument, social media controversy, trending hashtags in background”)
2. Who is Aman Gupta? – The Visionary Behind boAt
Aman Gupta is the Co-Founder & CMO of boAt, a brand that revolutionized India’s audio wearables market. With a background in finance and marketing, he turned boAt into a ₹10,500 crore empire in less than a decade 69.
Key Highlights of Aman Gupta’s Career:
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Early Life & Education: CA from ICAI, MBA from ISB & Kellogg 6
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Career Before boAt: Worked at Citibank, KPMG, and Harman International (JBL) 7
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Founding boAt (2016): Started with durable charging cables, expanded to headphones, speakers, and smartwatches 11
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Shark Tank India Fame: Became a fan-favorite investor 9
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Awards: Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year (2024) by PM Modi 6
(Image Prompt: “Aman Gupta in a formal suit, speaking at a business conference, Shark Tank India backdrop”)
3. Who is Elvish Yadav? – Bigg Boss OTT 2 Winner & Social Media Star
Elvish Yadav rose to fame as a YouTuber and wildcard winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2. Known for his humorous takes and massive fanbase (#ElvishArmy), he has over 20M+ followers across platforms 15.
Elvish Yadav’s Journey:
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Started as a comedy content creator
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Gained fame through roasts and viral sketches
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Won Bigg Boss OTT 2 as the first wildcard winner
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Often involved in controversies and social media feuds
(Image Prompt: “Elvish Yadav holding Bigg Boss OTT 2 trophy, celebrating with fans”)
4. The Viral boAt Controversy – What Happened?
In October 2023, a video surfaced where a group of friends mocked Elvish Yadav’s song while promoting boAt’s durability. The clip showed:
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A man asking to play Elvish’s song on a boAt speaker
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Another friend throwing the speaker down the stairs, yet it kept working
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boAt’s official Instagram liked and commented with laughing emojis 15
Elvish saw this as personal mockery and called out Aman Gupta.
(Image Prompt: “Screenshot of the controversial boAt ad showing a speaker being thrown, with Elvish Yadav’s song playing”)
5. Elvish Yadav’s Reaction & Public Outrage
Elvish took to X (Twitter) and wrote:
“The @RockWithboAt company has reached a new low by using personal mockery to promote its brand. It’s disgraceful. An apology is expected, or I will urge #ElvishArmy to boycott your products. #ShameOnAmanGupta.” 15
His fans trended #BoycottboAt, leading to massive backlash.
6. boAt’s Official Response & Clarification
boAt issued a statement claiming:
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The video was not commissioned by them
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Their algorithm auto-liked a positive comment about durability, not mockery
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They respect all artists and didn’t intend to offend 15
Elvish later accepted the clarification but hinted he knew the truth.
(Image Prompt: “boAt’s official tweet response to Elvish Yadav controversy”)
7. Social Media War: #ShameOnAmanGupta Trends
The feud escalated with:
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Memes comparing Aman Gupta & Elvish Yadav
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Debates on brand ethics vs. influencer sensitivity
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Some supporting boAt’s marketing creativity, others calling it unethical
(Image Prompt: “Twitter trends showing #ShameOnAmanGupta and #ElvishArmy”)
8. Lessons in Branding & Influencer Marketing
What Went Wrong?
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Misjudging influencer relations – Mocking a celebrity backfires
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Algorithm mishap – Automated engagement needs monitoring
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Crisis management delay – Quicker response could’ve reduced damage
Key Takeaways for Brands:
✔ Avoid negative humor in ads (can alienate audiences)
✔ Monitor automated responses (prevents PR disasters)
✔ Influencer partnerships should be respectful
(Image Prompt: “Businessman analyzing social media metrics, crisis management strategy board”)
9. Aman Gupta’s Business Empire & Success Story
Despite the controversy, Aman Gupta remains a marketing genius. boAt’s success includes:
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48% market share in India’s audio wearables 6
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₹1,000 Cr+ revenue in 2022 7
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IPO plans in 2025 6
(Image Prompt: “boAt products lineup – earphones, speakers, smartwatches”)
10. Elvish Yadav’s Rise to Fame
From YouTube to Bigg Boss, Elvish’s career highlights:
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20M+ subscribers on YouTube
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First wildcard winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2
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Controversies & feuds (including Ashish Chanchlani, Triggered Insaan)
(Image Prompt: “Elvish Yadav’s YouTube channel stats and Bigg Boss moments”)
11. Conclusion
The Aman Gupta vs. Elvish Yadav feud was a classic case of brand-influencer clash. While boAt recovered, it serves as a lesson in responsible marketing.
Final Thoughts:
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Brands must balance humor & respect
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Influencers hold massive sway over public opinion
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Crisis management is key in the digital age
For more on Aman Gupta’s journey, check:
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Aman Gupta’s Shark Tank Success (External Link)
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Elvish Yadav’s Bigg Boss Win (External Link)
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boAt’s Marketing Strategies (External Link)
