23 June,2026 03:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjeev Kapoor and Akshay Kumar (Pictures via Instagram)
Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor has revealed why he turned down an offer to join MasterChef India in its early days, saying the decision had little to do with the show itself and everything to do with a matter of principle.
Speaking in a recent interview, Kapoor recalled being approached for the cooking reality show when Bollywood star Akshay Kumar was attached to the project as host. While the opportunity appeared attractive on paper, the chef said negotiations hit a roadblock over remuneration.
According to Kapoor, he had one non-negotiable condition before agreeing to be part of the show. He wanted to be paid more than Akshay Kumar even if the difference was only Re 1.
Explaining his stance, Kapoor said it was not about money but about recognising expertise. As one of India's most influential chefs and among the earliest television personalities to popularise cooking shows in the country, he believed the format revolved around culinary knowledge and therefore the chef should be valued accordingly.
"It was never about the amount," Kapoor said. "I told them I should get Re 1 more than Akshay Kumar. It was non-negotiable."
The celebrity chef explained that his demand stemmed from the belief that the show's central subject was food, making the culinary expert the key figure in the format. While he acknowledged Akshay Kumar's immense popularity and star power, Kapoor felt that the person bringing professional credibility to a cooking competition should be compensated accordingly.
Kapoor said the producers were unwilling to agree to the condition, and as a result, he chose not to join the series.
Looking back, he does not appear to regret the decision. Over the years, Kapoor has built one of the strongest personal brands in Indian food media through television shows, books, restaurants and digital content. He remains one of the most recognisable faces in the culinary world.
The revelation has sparked discussion online, with many social media users debating whether Kapoor's demand was justified. Some supported his argument that expertise should be valued above celebrity status in a specialised format, while others felt television ratings often depend on star appeal.
Regardless of where opinions fall, Sanjeev Kapoor maintained that the issue was about professional respect rather than financial gain.
"It was non-negotiable," he reiterated, stressing that his position was rooted in principle.
The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into the business side of television negotiations and highlights how even successful collaborations can fall apart when two sides differ on what they consider fair recognition.
