Bharti Singh-hosted Laughter Chefs Season 2 concluded on Sunday with a grand finale celebration. While Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav were declared the winners, Aly Goni and Reem Shaikh finished as the first runners-up. After winning the show, Karan and Elvish took home the trophy, while runners-up Reem and Aly got diamond stars.
Karan Kundrra, who was part of the first season of Laughter Chefs, joined Season 2 midway, replacing Abdu Rozik and partnering with Elvish Yadav. While they proved to be strong contenders, the competition was fierce, with a narrow margin separating them from Aly Goni and Reem Shaikh. Until the semi-finals, Aly and Reem held the lead; however, the final round turned the tables.
Talking about Laughter Chefs exclusively with SCREEN, Karan Kundrra said, “Season 1 had ended abruptly, and there were no winners. We were all figuring out what the show was like; it was supposed to be a filler show, and suddenly it became a rage. When season 1 got over, there was a gap, and there were 16 people in this season, other than Bharti and chef Harpal, so there were a lot of issues. But I wanted to be back on the show, because it’s therapy.”
He added, “Laughter Chefs 1 was the first time I entered the kitchen in my life. I have never cooked before. I didn’t know I had a knack for cooking and would enjoy it so much. By season 2, I realized how to make food tasty. Shooting for the show is way more fun. What translates on screen is just 40-50 minutes, but we shoot for 16 hours, so imagine all the fun we have. I was shooting in Dubai and would never miss a day. I would take a flight at 3:30 am after shooting all day and night, come here, and would not even feel tired, that’s how great the contestants were in both seasons. ”
Karan Kundrra also shared that he was initially skeptical when they were offered the first season of Laughter Chefs. “Yes, we were skeptical. We didn’t know what we were getting into. There were so many questions and apprehensions about working with 16 other people. I’ll be very honest, actors are very insecure people; they don’t want to share their screen space, everybody is worried about positioning, but we lucked out. In both seasons, nobody was negative on the show; that’s what made it very happy to shoot. One wrong contestant and things could go South, but that never happened.”
Lastly, Karan spoke about Season 3 of Laughter Chefs. “I don’t know if season 3 is in talks, but according to me, the show is inevitable. It has good ratings, and this show has reached worldwide.”
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More