In 2015, Ranodeep Saha was a 19-year-old engineering student in Kolkata when he noticed indigenous terracotta potters and artisans struggling to sell handmade clay cups and painted kettle decor for trivial coins on roadside pavements.
Saha began hand-painting kulhads and terracotta kettles in his college hostel, selling them online and at local book fairs. Reinvesting every single rupee, Saha partnered with Vijay Cherukuri to incorporate Rare Planet in 2019, creating a formal supply chain for over 5,000 rural artisans across West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
On Shark Tank India Season 1, Saha delivered an emotionally resonant pitch that prompted Emcure executive director Namita Thapar to invest ₹65 Lakhs for 3% equity. Rare Planet leveraged this backing to secure prime retail concessions across 40+ international and domestic airports in India, proving that indigenous rural craft can thrive inside modern luxury travel hubs.
