GECs
Zee TV uncovers the invisible veil
MUMBAI: Zee TV, India’s largest media and entertainment conglomerate unveils the journey of one woman from darkness to light with its latest offering Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar. It is a story of prejudices and biases of an average Indian girl with an exceptional talent. As her story unfolds against the backdrop of atrocities like colour discrimination, dowry harassment, subjugation etc, it truly tells the tale of every Saloni scattered far and wide across our country. Beginning, 17 October, 2005, Saat Phere airs Monday – Friday, 9.30 pm.
Punit Goenka, Business Head, Zee TV opines, “For Zee TV, Saat Phere is not a mere serial. It’s a representation of issues and causes close to our heart that we attempt to bring across through the medium of popular entertainment. We believe that engrossing people urges them to start thinking and is a far better purveyor of change than didactic preaching can ever hope to be.”
Goenka further added, “Since Saat Phere is based on such a topical issue, the show will have a two-way flow of communication and viewer responses will affect the course of Saloni’s life. In the past also we have reached out our audiences through our landmark shows and I am confident that with Saat Phere we will not just entertain people but impact lives.”
About Saat Phere:
Despite being revered as goddesses and having our ancient history peppered with women who were great leaders and scholars, its no secret that in modern times, the various biases and prejudices faced by Indian women are more often ignored than addressed. One of the most baseless yet damning of these biases is the overriding pre-eminence of fairness, or a fair complexion. By the logic of antonym, dark skin is till today considered one of a woman’s biggest disadvantage; almost a curse.
Saat Phere is one such story of prejudices, biases and the journey of one woman from darkness (almost literally) to light. Saloni is an average (read: dark) Indian girl with an exceptional talent. But the shade of her melanin over-rides all her attributes. In a society where the girl’s worth is measured by how deep her spouse’s pockets are, being dark is generally considered a hindrance in finding a well-to-do groom.
“Who is going to marry you?” is a common refrain when a dark girl thinks of marriage. Saloni is no exception to this and spends her youth thinking that no one will ever marry her. But even when she does end up marrying someone, it all goes horribly wrong and therein she begins her journey to discover herself and her true potential despite all odds and blind myths.
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.
