GECs
Now Hussain to say ‘Khulja Sim Sim’ on Star Plus
MUMBAI: Khulja Sim Sim, which went off air in October last year, is soon going to be back in a new avtaar on Star Plus. And this time round, it will be Hussain (of Kumkum fame) who will be saying the magic words as the new host for the show.
Confirming the same, Star India vice president content and communications Deepak Segal said that the new version will hit the television screens “sometime in October.” And what’s more, BAG Films have now been bestowed with the production of the show since Optymistix (the production house which earlier produced the show) was “busy doing other things,” says Segal. It needs noting that Optymistix and Miditech will be producing Indian Idol for Sony and the same will be hosted by Aman Verma, who, incidentally was the earlier host of Khulja Sim Sim.
The basic format is pretty set but there will be a lot of innovations and value additions to the show including a new logo. Talking about the same, BAG Films chairman and managing director Anurradha Prasad said, “There will be value adds in terms of the new sets, new rounds and many other innovations because every show has it’s life and then a need is felt to re-invent it. But at the end of the day we have to remember that it is a format show and that we have to prescribe to the basic format. We are looking at relaunching the show sometime in October – November, which is the festive season.”
Talking about the time slot the show will be aired on, Prasad says, “We have not yet decided on the time slot but it will definitely be during prime time.”
Reliable industry sources say that this time round the jackpot in Khulja Sim Sim is going to be nothing less than a Mercedes Benz. When queried on this, Segal said it was to early to comment on the same.
An ad campaign announcing the relaunch of the show is also scheduled to roll out some time soon.
BAG Films sure has its bags full. The production house is also doing a series for the yet-to-be-launched channel of the Star Group – StarOne. The show is a fiction based series on law and has been tentatively titled Siddhanth. Shooting for the series is already underway and is being directed by Abhinav Kashyap. As far as the actors for the show are concerned, Prasad, while not divulging any names, says that some old as well as new actors will be starring in the series.
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.
