GECs
Kunika Lall in Sahara Samay management team
MUMBAI: Seems like Sahara and glamour go hand in hand or rather hand in glove. After roping in the film stars for its entertainment channel, Sahara Samay Mumbai has appointed film actor Kunika Lall as senior producer, who will be in-charge of day to day operation at the news channel.
Film actor Lall, who has recently turned to producer with Strivers and Achievers on DD 2, will be responsible for the news content on the channel. She will be reporting to the Mumbai head Rajiv Bajaj.
Strivers and Achievers, which has been conceptualised, produced anchored by Kunika herself, celebrates the lives, struggle and achievement of people with physical/ mental/ situational handicaps. Barring, the DD show that premiered on 13 April, Lall has nil experience in the production. Apparently Sahara group’s managing director Subrato Roy was convinced of her production prowess, after he caught hold of a dummy tape for an internal presentation where she was auditing.
Currently seen in Zee’s late night show Kittie Party, has 18 years experience in entertainment industry. She has acted in over 95 films and 17 TV serials, besides singing for two music albums Lakhon Mein Ek and Kunika (2002 Times Music), says an official release.
Tentatively called Sahara Samay Mumbai, the Hindi news channel will have regular news bulletins, talk shows, human interest stories, style and fashion features, Bollywood news and a breakfast TV programme.
Besides the executive duties, Kunika will also be hosting a daily talk show on human-interest issues and present some news bulletins through the week. The lady however will not be hanging her acting coat as yet. Apart from her management and anchoring tasks, she will also continue to sing and act in movies albeit if the roles are good enough.
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.
