GECs
Zee TV Middle East’s Parwaaz takes off with record ratings in UAE
MUMBAI: Zee TV Middle East’s Parwaaz (meaning ‘to take flight’), the first ever Hindi fiction series produced completely in the UAE in the last decade, got an opening rating of 12.52 amongst all South Asians in UAE, the highest registered by any shows across any channels in 2014. Parwaaz airs at a very competitive time band (Every Sat 2130hrs to 2230hrs) where other Hindi GECs air high profile shows like Big Boss (Colors), Everest (Star Plus) and CID (Sony). Despite stiff competition, Parwaaz managed to top the charts on the back of a UAE-based storyline that expats living away from their home could relate to.
Parwaaz is the story of 2 young men – Adarsh from India and Sikandar from Pakistan, whose lives intersect in Dubai in the early 90’s when they come here for their dream jobs. However, fate plays a cruel hand when they find that they have been duped by their employment agent back home. Their story of struggle, grit and friendship spans over 20 years – from their humble beginnings of doing odd jobs for survival, to the heights of their success, and the trials and tribulations along the way. Their story spanning 2 decades is being showcased in a series of 13 one-hour episodes.
Pakistani actor Noman Habib who was last seen in the lead role of Pakistani movie Main Hoon Shahid Afridi plays Sikander while Devansa Vasan who has been seen in many cameo roles in Hindi series in India plays Adarsh. The two lead actresses are Priyal Gor from India (last seen in Ram Milaye Jodi on Zee TV) and Suzain Fatima who has acted in many dramas in Pakistan. In another first in Hindi serials, an Emirati, Adel Farooq too was part of the star cast as Alam, the negative lead. Adel also sung the title-track for Parwaaz. The music played a key role in the promotion and has been played by FM stations in the UAE. 4 versions of the title track was recorded, the OST and lounge version sung by Adel Farooq, the sufi version sung by a local talent Ejaz Ahmed and the lounge version by Krishna Beura.
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.
