The Dark Side of MasterChef India – A Biography of Controversies |“MasterChef India Exposed – The Hidden Truth Behind the Fame”
MasterChef India, modeled after the globally successful MasterChef format, was launched with great expectations: to celebrate culinary talent, elevate home cooks to stardom, and promote the food culture of India on an unprecedented scale. Over the years, the Indian edition has showcased passionate cooks, creative presentations, and heartwarming backstories. However, beneath the vibrant plating and judge smiles lies a complex, often troubling narrative—a tale of controversies, allegations, and criticisms that have persisted season after season. This is a biography-style exposé of the dark side of MasterChef India, spanning favoritism, scripted narratives, cultural bias, and ethical dilemmas.
A Glorious Launch with Hidden Cracks
When MasterChef India premiered in 2010 on Star Plus, hosted by the revered Akshay Kumar along with chefs Kunal Kapur and Ajay Chopra, audiences were mesmerized. It promised authenticity, competition, and celebration of India’s culinary diversity. But as the seasons progressed, the sheen of meritocracy began to crack. Viewers started noticing subtle cues: contestants who seemed consistently favored, judges whose critiques felt pre-determined, and eliminations that lacked transparency.
The show’s intent was noble, but behind the camera, reports surfaced of rigorous script adherence. Contestants were encouraged to dramatize emotions, rehearse dialogue, and follow pre-approved narratives to enhance viewership appeal. Although this is a common reality-show practice worldwide, it raised ethical concerns in a show supposedly judged solely on skill and innovation.
Season 7 and the Aruna Vijay Controversy
Perhaps the most talked-about controversy in the history of MasterChef India came during Season 7 (2023), when Aruna Vijay, a vegetarian contestant, was allowed to substitute paneer in a challenge that required cooking fish. While Aruna’s culinary skills were respected, this exception, seen as unfair to other contestants, set off a firestorm of backlash online.
The problem wasn’t just the substitution, but the perceived inconsistency. Other contestants had not been granted similar flexibility in previous episodes. Viewers flooded social media with comments calling out favoritism, alleging that Aruna had been protected due to her personal rapport with judges or because she fit a specific narrative the showrunners wanted to highlight.
Chef Ranveer Brar tried to calm the storm by explaining the decision as an attempt to be inclusive. But critics argued that inclusivity shouldn’t compromise fairness. On platforms like Reddit, discussions exploded:
“This is not a cooking show anymore. It’s a PR drama with pre-selected winners.”
Gurkirat Singh and the Immunity Debate
Another major controversy from the same season involved Gurkirat Singh, who consistently received immunity even after weak performances. Many felt he was being given a free pass. During pressure tests where other contestants cracked under stress or were eliminated for minute errors, Gurkirat managed to survive elimination multiple times, sometimes after delivering what critics described as “average” dishes.
This led viewers to accuse the show of rigging. Hashtags like #JusticeForSanta, referring to contestant Santa Sarmah who was eliminated despite strong dishes, trended for days on Twitter. A key critique was that Gurkirat, with his charming personality and mass appeal, was being retained not for merit but for marketing.
Kamaldeep Kaur and Selective Editing
Kamaldeep Kaur, another talented cook from Season 7, found herself in controversy when audiences noticed that her mistakes were often edited out or downplayed. In one particular challenge, a dish that she acknowledged had not turned out as planned still received praise from the judges.
On the same day, another contestant was harshly criticized and eliminated for similar errors. This inconsistency sparked debates on selective editing—a practice where production teams curate narratives that may not reflect real-time competition outcomes. While it’s understood that some content is condensed for TV, repeated instances raised red flags.
The Celebrity MasterChef India Debacle
In 2025, MasterChef India launched a celebrity edition featuring personalities like Farah Khan, Tejasswi Prakash, and Gaurav Khanna. Touted as a fun spin-off, this version quickly drew ire for being overtly scripted.
Critics pointed out that celebrities were clearly coached, had access to better resources, and were given more time to prepare than standard contestants. Unlike the original format, the competitive tension was missing. The “cooking” became secondary to orchestrated drama, rehearsed banter, and exaggerated reactions.
The biggest blow came when Gaurav Khanna’s finale dish, a honey-dripped dessert, bore striking similarities to a dish created by Swiss pastry chef Dives Josh. Accusations of plagiarism flooded the internet. Although Gaurav denied any wrongdoing, saying his job was to impress the judges, the damage was done. Viewers and chefs alike questioned how originality was being assessed in such a revered competition.
Chapter 6: Bias and Cultural Representation
Another layer of critique has been around regional bias and underrepresentation of North Eastern and South Indian cuisines. Despite India’s enormous culinary diversity, certain regional dishes are often spotlighted more than others. While there have been contestants from Manipur, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, their cuisines are often sidelined in favor of more mainstream Punjabi, Mughlai, or North Indian flavors.
Chef Vikas Khanna, one of the judges, once spoke about the lack of awareness about North Eastern food even within the culinary community. However, critics argue that more could be done by the show to truly embrace and educate viewers about marginalized cuisines.
Season 7 did attempt a course correction, showcasing fermented foods, tribal cooking techniques, and lesser-known grains. But many felt this was tokenistic and not consistent across challenges.
Scripted Reactions and Emotion Engineering
Reality shows thrive on emotion, and MasterChef India is no exception. Contestants are encouraged to share personal stories, break down on camera, and celebrate victories in exaggerated fashion. While vulnerability can be powerful, there’s a fine line between storytelling and emotional manipulation.
Former contestants have anonymously reported being told to “show more emotion” or repeat a line with more intensity for the camera. Some claimed their interactions with judges were reshot multiple times for the perfect reaction. These revelations have led viewers to question the authenticity of what they’re watching.
In some seasons, the same sob stories were repeatedly aired, making them feel less heartfelt and more like strategic devices to boost TRPs.
Toxicity in Professional Kitchens
A dark undercurrent surfaced when Chef Vikas Khanna publicly spoke about abuse and racism he faced in professional kitchens abroad. In one emotional interview, he recalled:
“That chef took a cleaver and slashed it on my hand while I was chopping something.”
While this wasn’t directly tied to the MasterChef set, it highlighted the mental and physical toll that professional cooking can take. The glamorization of the chef life in shows like MasterChef doesn’t always present the realities—long hours, bullying, gender bias, and mental health challenges.
This disconnect between reality TV representation and the actual grind of culinary professions sparked another round of criticism. Aspiring chefs inspired by the show often enter the industry with unrealistic expectations.
Social Media Backlash & Credibility Crisis
The internet hasn’t been kind to MasterChef India in recent years. Platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube have become hotspots for real-time critiques. Influencers and food critics now do episode-by-episode breakdowns pointing out inconsistencies, questionable decisions, and biased outcomes.
The hashtag #MasterChefIndiaIsScripted trended multiple times during Season 7. Many pointed out how judges refrained from giving constructive criticism to their “favorites” and were overly harsh on others. Edits were dissected for continuity errors. Fans even analyzed background kitchen shots to claim that pre-plating occurred off-camera.
The Franchise Dilemma
MasterChef India is part of an international franchise. While Indian producers must localize the format, they are also expected to uphold certain global standards. But when MasterChef Australia or UK are praised for transparency, ethical judging, and diversity, the Indian version faces criticism for leaning too much into drama.
Several Indian food bloggers have suggested that India’s version needs a reset—to prioritize culinary skill over TRPs. Until that happens, the show may continue facing the credibility crisis that now overshadows its earlier reputation.
The Flavor Fades
MasterChef India began as a revolutionary platform to honor home cooks and inspire a new generation of chefs. But over time, it has strayed into the realm of entertainment more than competition. Favoritism, plagiarism, scripting, and cultural exclusion have slowly eroded its credibility.
While there’s still admiration for the skill many contestants display, audiences are no longer blindly accepting the show as a fair culinary battleground. Unless the producers commit to transparency, merit, and inclusivity, the dark side of MasterChef India may continue to cast a long shadow over what was once a bright beacon in India’s culinary storytelling.
