GECs
Rainbow Productions rises in the east
Rainbow Productions is riding the crest of the regional programming wave. The Calcutta-based production house churns out seven hours of programming daily. The programs include two breakfast shows, four soaps, and six newscasts. On the company’s CV are the three year old running serial, Janmabhumi, and Calcutta’s only privately produced newscast – Khas Khabar – on DD-7. The program provider claims a turnover of Rs 1000 million .
Rainbow plans to invest Rs 30 million in new equipment. The equipment includes DVC Pro or DVC Cameras, DVCPro edit suites, and Beta systems for high end work. The program provider is in negotiations with European channels including Arte, and development agencies i.e. International Fund for Agricultural Development to produce international programming.
Rainbow also plans a Bengali portal – khashkhabor.com – but is facing a glitch in using the Bengali font. Rainbow Production’s Director Jagganath Guha believs that a solution can be found in using the Roman script and audio targeting the Non Resident Indian,away from home Bengali citizenry. The portal, expected to cost Rs. 10,00,000 in the first year, will feature news and information using text and photographs. It will launch in the first quarter of 2001.
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.
