GECs
Suman promises bigger, highly interactive talk show on Star Plus
Moved but not shaken is Shekhar Suman, former anchor of Sony Entertainment’s hit talk show Movers and Shakers. Suman is all set to get back to doing what he does best – entertaining with his rib-tickling chat show. The actor has joined hands with Star India and will anchor as well as produce the show, which has tentatively been titled Simply Shekhar.
The show is going to be on a much bigger scale. It’s lively, interactive, and fun-filled, promises Suman. “There’ll be a live audience, people will even come on the floor to participate,” says Suman, who apart from chatting with ‘real’ celebrities also will be out on the road visiting people’s house. The show will also have a glamorous band, and elegant ambience but unlike Movers and Shakers, which has 14 guests per week, this show will have only two celebrity guests per week.
M&S HOST SHORTLISTED SAYS SONY’S NIGAM: Meanwhile Rekha Nigam, SET’s senior vice-president, programming and production, said Sony was proceeding according to schedule on finding a new host for Movers and Shakers. Nigam remained unruffled by the prospect of Suman’s coming up with a show on rival Star and said Sony was proceeding according to the pace it had set for itself. Nigam, while not revealing names, said a shortlist was ready for possible anchors to replace Suman on M&S.
M&S in a completely recharged and rejuvenated format is what Nigam promises for the viewers.
Suman’s show on the other hand is being produced by his Seven Thirty Entertainment Ltd. Suman is closely involved with the production apart from anchoring the show. “We are in the process of getting together the production team. We hope to get the cinematographers, writers, editors… under one umbrella very soon. Things are still at the nascent stage but the first episode should be produced by August-end,” says Suman, who is currently shooting for David Dhavan’s forthcoming movie.
Though the date and time of the show is yet to be finalised, Suman promises that in another two weeks, everything should fall in place.
“It is going to be on a big canvas and a very expensive show but we still have to sit down and work out the economics of it all,” Shekhar replied when asked about the kind of investment going into the production. About the contract Suman said: “Things are yet to be finalised the talks with Star are still going.”
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
