GECs
Bollywood Awards get a Hollywood ambassador
MUMBAI: Los Angeles-based media mogul and Hollywood.tv CEO and founder Sheeraz Hasan has been named ‘Hollywood Ambassador to Bollywood’ by the Bollywood Group.
The Bollywood Group is the presenter of the annual Bollywood Awards, which are scheduled to be held on 30 April at the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
Hasan’s appointment will be formally presented at the awards.
Hasan is no stranger to such accolades, having founded his company – Tinseltown Entertainment, Inc – on the premise of building a bridge between Hollywood and Bollywood, the two largest film industries in the world.
Last year, at the 2004 Bollywood Awards, his efforts were rewarded when he was given the prestigious ‘American Dream’ Award, in recognition of his accomplishments in the entertainment industry.
Since then, his journey has brought him full circle, from reporting on the headlines to making them himself. He has bagged scores of awards for his successful media ventures, and his highly anticipated autobiography will be released this summer.
His appointment as ambassador illustrates just how far he has come, from arriving in America two years ago with nothing to becoming one of the shining stars of the international entertainment industry.
“Being appointed ambassador is not something I take lightly. I am, of course, honoured and grateful that I was chosen. I think I am in a unique position to represent Hollywood in Bollywood and elsewhere in South Asia, being myself a South-Asian who has achieved success here.
“This is the most competitive business environment in the world, by any measure, and I think both industries could learn a great deal from each other. The opportunities for artistic and business growth are very exciting,” said Hasan.
The Bollywood Awards will be telecast to an audience of over 250 million people worldwide.
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.
