India may soon have its first TV culinary competition for kids. No prizes for guessing that the show is an extension of MasterChef India, and is likely to be called Junior MasterChef India. The show is inspired by the success of the Australian show Junior MasterChef Australia, which was recentlyaired on Star World and became a hit with Indian viewers.MasterChef India’s broadcaster, Star Plus, has asked production company Colosceum to put together a pilot episode that will iron out all the details of the show. Work on it has already begun. The pilot will bring clarity as to what kind of contestants the channel is looking for and the content that is likely to be generated. It will also test the response from Indian kids for a cookery contest, considering they’re not really known to enter the kitchen at a young age.The format is also expected to be different from the one that Masterchef India follows. Discussions are taking place between the channel and the production company.The competition is expected to be aimed at kids between the ages of 10 to 15 years. The channel, industry insiders say, is also looking for a child star to host the show, and a popular star to judge it, alongside the MasterChef India judges Kunal Kapoor and Ajay Chopra.When contacted Nitin Vaidya, business head, Hindi channels for Star Network, and Rajiv Laxman from the production company refused to make any official comment.All Nitin was willing to say was, “As a channel that aims to bring the best entertainment to its viewers, Star Plus continues to scout concepts and formats that can interest every age group.”In the meantime, MasterChef India season three is on its way. The cooking extravaganza is likely to occupy a prime time slot, probably on the weekends, considering it has worked for the channel in the past.
Source: Hindustan Times?
