MUMBAI: Star Plus will be launching a new show called MasterChef India, which will be hudged by Akshay Kumar along with two other chefs – Kunal Kapoor and Ajay Chopra – from the cooking fraternity.

The show will launch on 16 October and will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm. Akshay Kumar will be seen in a completely new role as he takes the judge’s chair on the show. MasterChef India will identify 12 contestants who will compete with each other.

The contender who will able to stand strong with his / her will and talent, through the mounting pressure each week, will be adjudged as India’s first ever – MasterChef.

Star India executive vice president, marketing and communications Anupam Vasudev said, "After pioneering successful concepts in reality shows like Aap Ki Kachehri and Sach Ka Saamna, Star Plus is now ready to present MasterChef India. With this show, we once again bring a completely new dimension to this genre on Indian television. International versions of MasterChef have gained a huge fan following in two of the world’s biggest markets – UK & Australia. Hence bringing the format to a country like India, where diverse cuisines exist, was only a natural choice. With superstar Akshay Kumar at the fore and larger-than-life cooking challenges we hope to unearth the best talent in the country with this show."

Akshay Kumar added, "I am very happy to be returning to my roots after so many years. My two favorites – ‘Cooking and Camera/Entertainment’ are coming together and I am excited to be a part of it. I have been following the international version of MasterChef regularly and I am glad that Star Plus is bringing this great and interesting challenge to the Indian audience."