Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor is one of the most respected names in Indian cooking. Best known for his hugely popular television show Khana Khazana, he helped bring restaurant style recipes and cooking techniques into Indian homes. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation not just as a chef but also as a television personality, author, and entrepreneur. His popularity grew even further when he became one of the judges on MasterChef India.
However, many people may not know that Sanjeev Kapoor was not part of the first two seasons of the cooking reality show. In a recent conversation on journalist and author Vir Sanghvi’s podcast, Culinary Culture, the celebrated chef revealed the reason behind his decision to stay away from the show during its early years.
According to Sanjeev Kapoor, the makers of MasterChef India had approached him before the launch of the first season in 2010. At the time, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar was set to be one of the judges. Sanjeev said he agreed to consider the offer but had one important condition. He wanted to be paid more than Akshay Kumar, even if it was just one rupee more.
The chef explained that he felt he was the most suitable person for the role and believed his contribution to the show would be extremely valuable. However, the producers were not willing to accept his condition. Rather than compromise, Sanjeev Kapoor decided to walk away from the project. Looking back, he said he was completely satisfied with that decision and had no regrets.
Even after he turned down the offer, the show’s makers continued reaching out to him. They reportedly invited him to appear as a guest on individual episodes, but he declined every request. Sanjeev said he chose not to participate in any way because his original condition had not been met.
Things changed by the time the third season arrived in 2013. According to the chef, the makers admitted that the show was not performing as well as they had hoped and felt his presence could help strengthen it. They approached him again and assured him they would agree to his terms.
When asked if he eventually received a higher fee than Akshay Kumar, Sanjeev Kapoor laughed and confirmed that he did. He said the issue was never negotiable for him and that if he could not command that level of respect, there was no point in accepting the offer.
MasterChef India has since become one of the country’s most popular cooking shows, and Sanjeev Kapoor remains one of its most memorable judges.