By Anil Merani: Sony TV had big expectations from Celebrity MasterChefs; no wonder they spent big on getting biggies like Farah Khan and regular chefs Ranveer Brar and Vikas Khanna.
The contestant mix was so interesting. Gaurav Khanna (Anupamaa) and Tejasswi Prakash (Naagin) must not have come cheap.
The show was heavily promoted as well.
In a bit to broad base the home cook-to-chef journey (I guess they thought the cookery format alone would not net enough eyeballs), the maker added reality show elements like fights (Bigg Boss contestants Nikki Tamboli and Archana Gautam). Not satisfied, they even brought in a romance angle between Nikki and a married Abhijeet Sawant (knocked out early); I wonder how his better half must have felt. Yes, Abhijeet played along.
However, despite all pulling the stops and Farah playing her card, the show has failed to set the TRP meters ablaze.
The creative direction fell between two stools: it is not fully satisfying the expectations of hardcore MasterChef loyalists and is not resonating with reality show buffs. The show seemed to struggle to find its unique identity, leaving both sets of viewers wondering what the fuss was all about.
What works for MasterChef is showcasing raw culinary talent from amateur chefs, offering authenticity and relatability.
The reality crowd have many options, so they did not stick around. Cookery does not impress them much.
Seeing Nikki and Archana Sashe around does not merit a serious format like MasterChef. You can’t fit glamour everywhere. There is a time and place for everything
Faisal Shaikh appearing in a sleeveless t-shirt, you are here to impress your stans or win a serious cookery competition?
These contestants were often seen haggling and arguing, leaving the judges uncomfortable. The decorum and respect usually associated with Masterchef are missing, disappointing for the show’s fans.
Another potential issue is the perceived lack of authenticity. Reports suggest contestants receive significant behind-the-scenes support, such as professional training and extended pantry access, which contrasts with traditional MasterChef’s high-pressure, skill-based challenges. This could alienate purists who value the show’s competitive integrity. Additionally, the uneven screen time—favoring bigger celebrities over less-known contestants like Kabita Singh or Chandan Prabhakar—might create a sense of bias, further disconnecting viewers who expect a level playing field.
And honestly, does Farah have the cooking chops to judge along with such senior chefs? Why Ranvir and Vikas signed on?
What makes MasterChef is the journey from a home cook. Here, the celebs are more concerned about what their Insta followers will feel rather than using their culinary skills. Ranvir and Vikas must mind their P’s and Q’s lest a contestant walks out, upending the entire show and compromising its authenticity.
There was a clear divide among the contestants. Tejasswi, in particular, often carried herself with a sense of entitlement, which seemed to go against the level-playing field concept that the show usually promotes.
I am impressed by Gaurav, though he is not throwing his weight around despite his recent TV success. Dipika Kakar has been another find.
What is Rajiv Adatia’s call to fame for being a friend fo celebs? But yes, he is good with his hands
Some fans feel that Usha Nadkarni is being given a free pass because she survived successive black apron rounds.
From a creative point of view, adding celeb is a smart move, but then you need to zero in on contestants who love cooking and want to learn. These guys could have added heft to the original concept. Today, audiences can smell artificialness from a mile.
Sadly, the mix here is awry. No wonder Celeb MasterChef has become yet another stunt-driven reality show. Many online fans suspect that most of the drama is rigged.
However, all is not lost; we have learned much about new food styles and chef tips, making your kitchen journies more interesting.