GECs
Party time 2003….What they did on New Year’s Eve
Out with all that is old and in comes all thats new. That‘s how most of the telly celebrities think. Here‘s how the creme de la creme bade goodbye to 2003 and opened their arms to 2004. SAI DEODHAR:
 Papa‘s Girl |
“I was in Hotel Holiday Inn, dining and dancing with my family members and few close friends. I had lots of invitations for parties, which would have been very exciting, but I always like to bring in every New Year with my Mom and Dad around.”
EKTA KAPOOR:
 Work hard, party harder |
“I was in Goa. In fact, my friends and I had made the trip last week. We decided to stay back till the New Year. When 2003 changed to 2004, I was at Vijay Mallya‘s party.”
TINA PARAKH:
 Go Goa! |
“When the clock struck midnight, I was at a beach in Goa along with my parents, sister and brother-in-law and few close friends. It was cold, fun; it was a moment to be seen to be believed. Goa beaches are far different than those in Mumbai and the atmosphere is carnival-like.”
HANSIKA MOTWANI:
 Me a party animal |
“I came back from Udaipur, where I had gone for a holiday with my mother for a few days. Despite being tired, I did not hit the shack. Everybody was in high spirits and I could not play spoilsport. The family wanted to hop across to a friend‘s place at Juhu. I joined in. Once there, I stopped feeling my fatigue. It was great fun- good food, great dancing and lovely hospitality.”
ANUSHA:
“The in-coming of 2004 was something very special. I was in Goa. Some of very close friends and I had undertaken a six-day trip to chill. And chill we did! We said adieu to 2003 on a beach. We had a bonfire and some special arrangements for rocking music. And no prizes for guessing that we hardly slept that night!”
 In the chill out zone |
RAJEEV KHANDELWAL:
“I was in Mahableshwar with my friends. Three pegs of Bacardi, good music, lovely climate and a holiday from shooting. What more could I have asked for?”
HUSSAIN:
“I was in the ‘Golden Valley Resort‘ (outskirts of Mumbai). My friend has a farmhouse near the resort. We boozed, danced, screamed, hooted until nearly 3 am. I reached home at 6 am and hit the shack straightaway. Oh, what a night! Can we shift the clock back?”
 What no Gilbeys green label! |
MONISHA SINGH:
“I had been partying quite a bit in the last week. So I decided to stay at home and bring in the New Year. A few friends came in, that‘s all.”
AMAN VARMA:
“I had a small get-together with friends. Not too much of dhamaka and shor-sharaba. But it was fun and went on way past midnight. Sometimes, low-key parties can be more interactive because you get to talk at length.”
DEEPSHIKHA:
 Gimme more! |
“Many of my friends from the TV industry went to either Khandala, Mahableshwar or Goa. Almost all of them wanted me to join their gang. But I decided to celebrate it with my building friends. They came over home and we had a gala time, chatting, joking, dancing…”
MOULI GANGULY:
“I was in ‘Royal Garden‘- a hotel in Thane. Every New Year, they invite a guest from the film or telly world. This time, it was me. Long drive till there, but a fantaboulous party.”
 No home alone… |
CEZZANE KHAN:
“Hey, why don‘t we keep this as a secret? Many guys and gals tried to find out my ‘ata pata thikana‘ on New Year‘s Eve, but they failed. Psst! I was in Backwaters, Cochin. My friends and I had made a gateway especially to bring in the New Year away from the hustle and bustle in Mumbai.”
 Chatting away to glory |
 Partying with neighbours |
 Making public appearance |
 Party on the backwaters |
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.
