GECs
Sony shuffles prime time shows; ‘Idol’ now at 9 pm
MUMBAI: Its prime time reshuffle at Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India. In a bid to get some traction going for its tent pole property Indian Idol, Sony has now pushed the season two of the one hour reality talent hunt to the 9 pm slot from the earlier 8:30 pm slot. The change will be effective from 13 February.
The first season of Indian Idol was aired in the 9:30 pm time slot. However with the second season, the channel had hoped to encash on the strong cachet in the 8:30 pm band that Fame Gurukul had managed to make and hence Indian Idol 2 was positioned in that time slot.
The official reason given for the time slot shuffle is that viewers in the metros were unable to catch the show at 8:30 pm and hence the change.
Deal Ya No Deal, which at present airs from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm from Wednesday to Friday has also been shifted to the 9 pm slot. As a result of this, Ek Ladki Anjaani Si, which aired after Indian Idol (Mondays and Tuesdays) and Deal Ya No Deal (Wednesday to Friday) at 9:30 pm has been pushed back to the 8:30 pm slot.
However, the serials Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai at 8 pm, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin at 10 pm and CID Special Bureau at 10.30 pm will continue to air in their old time slots.
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.
