GECs
Rediffusion to handle Zee no more
MUMBAI: It’s official now. Rediffusion DY&R has stopped handling corporate communications for Zee’s flagship channel Zee TV as well as Zee MGM and Zee English as of 1 September.
Clea PR however continues to handle Zee Cinema and Zee Music, which are headed by ETC promoter Yogesh Radhakrishnan. The decision to handle the PR for the Zee channels had been taken a few months ago, when the Subhash Chandra-led Essel Group decided to create a signature group under Corporate Brand Development Group (CBDG) for all the brands in the group as a corporate brand. Rediffusion however was handling the Zee accounts till recently.
While the brands that the new group will handle includes all Zee brands, Alpha brands, Playwin, Zee Education, Essel World, Water Kingdom, Fun Republic, Essel Propack Ltd., and the Agrani group, Zee Cinema and Zee Music have been left out of its ambit, at least for the time being.
The move has come almost in conjunction with the group’s decision to start subscribing to TAM data. The flagship Zee TV has recently launched its big ticket show of the year – Awaz – Dil Se Dil Tak and is scheduled to launch another – The Magic Make Up Box this Sunday. Last year’s innovative show, Jeena Isika Naam Hai, also returns in a new season to the channel this Friday.
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.
