Sanjeev Kapoor Reveals Why He Rejected MasterChef India Initially: ‘Pay Me Re 1 More Than Akshay Kumar’

Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor recently opened up about the reason he initially declined to be a part of MasterChef India. Speaking about the early days of the popular cooking reality show, Kapoor revealed that he had one specific condition for joining the first season — he wanted to be paid Re 1 more than Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.

Kapoor shared that when the makers first approached him, Akshay Kumar had already been signed for the show. While he had great respect for the actor and considered him a friend, Kapoor believed that a cooking competition was his area of expertise and that his contribution should be valued accordingly.

Explaining his stand, the celebrity chef said that he asked the producers to pay him just one rupee more than Akshay. According to Kapoor, the amount itself was not important; the demand was symbolic and reflected the value he placed on his experience and authority in the culinary field. When the makers refused to agree to his condition, he chose not to join the show and was comfortable walking away from the opportunity.

As a result, Kapoor was not part of the initial seasons of MasterChef India. However, things changed later when the makers approached him again. Kapoor revealed that by the third season, the team felt the show needed him and returned with a fresh offer. This time, he agreed to come on board on his own terms.

The chef clarified that his demand was never about competing with Akshay Kumar personally. Instead, it was about recognising expertise and ensuring that professionals are valued in their own domain. Kapoor eventually became one of the most recognisable faces of MasterChef India, helping shape the show into one of the country’s most popular culinary reality franchises.

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