Nagpur’s brother duo, Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe, have emerged as the winners of MasterChef India Season 9, bringing the trophy home after an emotional grand finale. The latest season of the cooking reality show ended with the brothers being crowned champions, capping off a journey that won them praise for their creativity, teamwork and strong grasp of Indian flavours.
A season built around the ‘jodi’ format
This season stood out for its jodi format, which saw pairs competing together instead of individual contestants. Vikram and Ajinkya made a strong mark throughout the competition, impressing judges with a mix of traditional home-style cooking, inventive presentation and a natural understanding of each other’s strengths in the kitchen. Reports said the duo also received the coveted Golden Apron along with the title.
Who are Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe?
The Gandhe brothers come from Nagpur and have now become one of the most talked-about culinary duos on Indian television. Reports described Ajinkya as an architect by profession, while Vikram is known for his interest in model aircraft flying. Their contrasting backgrounds were seen as adding both structure and creativity to their cooking approach, helping them stand out in a competitive season.
What made their journey special
What made Vikram and Ajinkya’s win particularly memorable was the way they combined emotion, skill and consistency across the season. Their dishes were widely noted for blending traditional Indian flavours with polished execution, making them favourites among viewers as well as strong contenders in the competition. Their victory also gave Maharashtra’s Nagpur a proud television moment, with the brothers becoming the first finalists from their city to go all the way and win the title.
Prize money and finale spotlight
Reports on the finale said the winning duo took home a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. The season was judged by Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur, with the finale drawing attention for its emotional tone and celebration of Indian culinary talent. The season’s “Pride of India” theme also added to the significance of the brothers’ win, positioning them as standout ambassadors of regional flavour and modern presentation.
A proud moment for Nagpur
With this win, Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe have not only earned a national platform but also strengthened the growing appeal of home cooks and regional talent in Indian reality television. Their MasterChef India triumph is being seen as a reminder that passion, family chemistry and authentic food storytelling still resonate deeply with audiences.
By – Juhi