GECs
SPE appoints three vice chairmen
CALIFORNIA: In a move geared to solidify and streamline operations and further a collaborative management process at the company, a new management structure has been announced by Chairman and CEO Sony Pictures Entertainment John Calley,
Chairman, Columbia Pictures, Amy Pascal, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group Jeff Blake and President, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Yair Landau have been promoted to Vice Chairmen, Sony Pictures Entertainment. As Vice-Chairmen of SPE, they share all day-to-day responsibilities formerly reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, while retaining their current roles and titles within their divisions. All three report to Calley.
Calley said, ” Amy’s motion picture slate is the strongest in industry history. Jeff is widely regarded as the best there is in the distribution business and he’s turned around our marketing operation. Yair is successfully leading our way into the digital future. My goal is to let the division heads flourish with the degree of autonomy they deserve while establishing an atmosphere where there is a constant flow of information between the various parts of our massive operation.”
Pascal, a 13-year veteran of Columbia Pictures, has held the post of Chairman since December 1999. Under Pascal’s guidance, Columbia Pictures has enjoyed record-breaking success with such films as Spider-Man (biggest opening weekend ever and 5th largest domestic grossing film of all time), Men in Black II,, the Adam Sandler comedy Mr. Deeds and Panic Room..
Yair Landau is President of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) which combines SPE’s digital production with its online content and game services to deliver the next generation of entertainment, including the development and production of original computer-generated (CG) animated feature films. Landau, a 10 year veteran of SPE, previously served as Executive VP Corporate Development and Strategic Planning.
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.
