‘I Was Having A Breakdown’: Masterchef India's Vikas Khanna On Hosting Chef Sanjeev On The Show

The 8th edition of Masterchef India is finally live and is streaming exclusively on Sony LIV. Returning to the judging seat this year are Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar whereas Chef Pooja Dhingra is making her judging debut. The show has started premiering on 16th October and is already earning massive love from the audiences.?

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The Masterchefs of this year sat with Indiatimes in an exclusive conversation and candidly talked about their life and show.

When Chef Vikas broke down introducing Sanjeev Kapoor on the show!

In our conversation with Vikas, the Masterchef revealed to us how overwhelming it was for him to shoot the introduction sequence of chef Sanjeev Kapoor. For the unversed, Sanjeev judged Season 3 and 4 alongside Vikas. Vikas shared with us, “I think one of the greatest memories which has always stuck in my mind was introducing Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on the show.”

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“At that moment, I couldn't do it on the first go. We had to take five or six takes because seeing him as my ideal and then sharing the stage with him was truly an overwhelming experience. I knew kids watching me on-screen would feel that if they dream they can surely be with the legends.”

Vikas added, “I kept having breakdowns out of so much reverence and respect for Chef Sanjeev.”

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I wish to become a better father - Chef Ranveer Brar

When asked what is left in the world for him to do after all these years of working in restaurants, films and shows, Ranveer shared that he wishes to spend more time with his son Ishaan. He told us, “A half-decent parent is something I'm waiting to explore. I see him growing up and realise that I need to spend more time with him. And I'm just looking forward to it.”

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Ranveer wants to use Masterchef India as a medium to keep passing anecdotal knowledge about the culture and history of food.

Brar told us, “I think anecdotes are interesting. If you realise most of our knowledge, traditionally, especially food knowledge, has been passed down as anecdotes and not as education. So the idea is to use this medium to keep that anecdotal passing down of knowledge as the method and education will happen.”

Vikas Khanna has been judging Masterchef India ever since season 2 and revisited his experience of coming on board.

Vikas shared, “I came on the show in 2011 and at that time I used to fly from New York every two weeks for the shoot. It was very tough and everybody kept asking me why I was making this choice. My reply was - I made the choice because this could be one of the most important journeys of Indian cuisine to the global markets and I'm very proud of that.”

“We stuck to this and we trusted that this would surely reach many people. Kids, teens and the elderly, everyone will watch it. Also, if somehow people feel that only the home cooks learn, it's not true. We learn much more from them.”

Chef Pooja Dhingra who appeared as a guest judge last year shared her experience of coming on board as the main judge this edition.

She shared with us, “Honestly, I was a guest judge on the show last season so I knew the show. I knew the judges. I knew the format. I knew how it was. And they made me feel really comfortable even when I went as a guest judge. My only apprehension was how I was going to balance my work and give time to this.”

Despite being an expert in French patisserie techniques, Pooja held no expectations from the home cooks and went with a blank slate.

“I was very curious to see what kind of home cooks we get this season. And it's been absolutely full of surprises. We've had people who made some incredible desserts on the show. I feel there are so many different techniques and everyone brings a different representation of themselves, of their cuisine, of their culture, of their background.”

She concluded, “It's been really exciting to absorb all of it, take it all in. I'm excited to see now what I'm going to do after I've learned everything that I have from the show.”

Asked about criticism the judges receive online based on their judgements on the show, Ranveer and Pooja shared that they respect it and don't take it at heart. Chef Vikas detailed this and said, “It's very overwhelming. At the same time, it's a little scary because you've been given the responsibility of choosing somebody who can represent one of the world's greatest democracies.”

“So I think it's a very stressful job but still you enjoy it every day.”

Chef’s Recommendation: What’s the favourite childhood dish of Masterchef India 8 judges?

Vikas Khanna - “Gobi ho, daal ho, methi aloo ho. That for me is like the best thing you can have because it's so comforting for me.”

Pooja Dhingra - “Among the first few things I learned how to make was a very simple masala chai for my dad. And I think that masala chai till today is a comfortable sip. After living abroad for years, the first thing I would ask after coming home is a very simple varan bhat with a lot of ghee on top. And that is something that I feel hits my soul.”

Ranveer Brar - “It's churi or a good sheera. I think that bends time for me. That takes me back to my childhood and it's therapeutic.”

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