GECs
Disney Star reshuffles top brass; Gaurav Banerjee’s role expanded
Mumbai: Disney Star has reorganised its leadership team by expanding Gaurav Banerjee’s role and implementing various organisational changes. This occurred over a two-month period following the resignation of Kevin Vaz as head of Network Entertainment Channels.
According to an internal email from K Madhavan (country manager and president, Disney Star), Banerjee will now be in charge of Star Bharat, the Hindi and English Movies cluster, Kids & Infotainment, and the regional portfolio (East), which includes Star Jalsha and Star Kiran, in addition to leading Content Studio for TV and Disney+ Hotstar. Banerjee will keep Madhavan informed about his development.
Krishnan Kutty will now serve as the business and content head for the entire South & Marathi regional portfolio, which includes Star Suvarna, Star Maa, Asianet, Star Vijay, Star Pravah, and D+ H Regional Specials for these markets. He shall report to Madhavan, too.
Sumanta Bose will continue to lead content for Star Plus, Star Jalsha, and Disney+ Hotstar Hindi Specials, reporting to Banerjee with an additional line of reporting to Sajith Sivanandan, who is the head of Disney+ Hotstar. He will also continue to serve as the business head for Star Plus and Star Utsav, reporting directly to Madhavan.
Alok Jain, who was in charge of Star Maa, Star Jalsha, Star Kiran, and Star Suvarna, has decided to call it a day.
Mani Rangarajan will also assume full responsibility for these tasks for the network in addition to managing technology and operations for the Disney cluster. As a result, Gajendra Tijare, who is the head of broadcast technology & operations, and Vivek Dhaimade, head of traffic & presentation, will report to him.
In addition to her current position as head of creative communications, Minakshi Achan will also be in charge of social listening. She will receive reports from Disney Star executive director Venke Sharma.
All alterations will be effective immediately.
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.
