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MasterChef India returns with Jodi twist and big brands on Sony LIV
MUMBAI: MasterChef India is back, and this time it is cooking with company. Sony LIV’s flagship culinary franchise returns with a refreshed format, a strong line-up of premium brands and a new Jodi season that puts relationships at the heart of the competition.
Streaming on Sony LIV, the latest edition introduces 12 jodis competing together for the first time in the show’s Indian history. Friends, partners and family members will cook side by side, bringing collaboration, emotion and shared legacy into the spotlight. The result is a format designed to serve not just food, but stories.
The season is also backed by an impressive roster of sponsors. Veeba returns as co-presenting partner for the third consecutive year, joined by Ikea India and Fortune Chakki Fresh Atta as co-powered partners. Kohler, Catch and Vijay Sales complete a premium brand mix, reinforcing MasterChef India’s status as a favourite destination for high-impact integrations.
Adding familiar flavour to the kitchen is the reunion of the original judging trio. Chef Vikas Khanna, Chef Ranveer Brar and Chef Kunal Kapur are back together, blending credibility, nostalgia and star power. Their return strengthens the show’s legacy while anchoring the new format in a sense of continuity.
This season also leans into India’s lesser-known culinary traditions, spotlighting micro-cuisines and forgotten heritage recipes. By pairing entertainment with cultural pride, MasterChef India continues to widen its appeal beyond food lovers to anyone who enjoys compelling storytelling.
Sony LIV EVP and head of Ad revenue Ranjana Mangla, said the show has grown into an immersive brand ecosystem where partners become part of the narrative rather than mere sponsors. She noted that the Jodi format opens up deeper, clutter-free integration opportunities rooted in high-engagement moments.
VRB Consumer founder and managing director Viraj Bahl, said the paired format mirrors Veeba’s belief in collaboration. He added that when effort is shared, outcomes naturally follow, making the partnership feel organic year after year.
MasterChef India streams Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Sony LIV, serving up more passion, more drama and plenty of flavour, even for those who usually stay out of the kitchen.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
