GECs
Geo TV takes up Indo-Pak ventures
MUMBAI: With peace talks between India and Pakistan gathering momentum, it looks like Indo-Pak theme will be more than just a flavour of the season.
Geo TV, the satellite television venture from the Pakistan-based Jung Group, has canned quite a few episodes of its soon-to-be launched show based on the partition theme.
What is interesting is that the show based on the partition theme is a collaborative effort between artistes and technicians from both the sides.
In addition to this saga titled Partition -Ek Safar, Geo TV is in talks with the technicians and artistes of both the sides for a period drama on the Mogul era.
According to cameraman-cum-director Dharam Gulati, Geo TV’s special project director Rana Sheikh, former head of Pakistani TV, is working the ‘friendship’ projects.
As for Partition- Ek Safar, the show that spans the time of partition to present times is based on real stories and partition horrors. The show tells story of how the partition continues to affect the lives of people both in India and in Pakistan.
The actor list includes famous names from Pakistan like Babbar Ali, Ayesha Alam, Farah Shah, Nayyar Kamaal, Mikal, and Sameer Khan, the names from India include yesteryear actor Kamini Kaushal, television and film old timer Raza Murad, current popular bad girl Tassnim Sheikh and pretty lass Shilpa Saklani.
The team had shot three episodes in 15 days in locales around Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, and Ajmer in India. The first shooting schedule was held in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
As for the next “big” series on the generation of Moguls, the producers are looking at ace film and theatre personality Naseeruddin Shah for the role of Mogul Emperor Akbar. Gulati informed that the Geo TV producers have already signed on Bhanu Athaiya for costume designs and Sharmistha Ray for art direction.
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.
