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While Usha’s culinary skills have certainly impressed many, it’s her sharp, witty comments and no-nonsense approach that has everyone talking.
Usha is one of the most promising contestants. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Celebrity Masterchef has undoubtedly captured the audience’s attention, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about shows. The competitive cooking series features a glittering lineup of stars, including familiar faces like Dipika Kakkar, Tejasswi Prakash, Archana Gautam and Gaurav Khanna. But stealing the spotlight, deservedly so, is the legendary actress Usha Nadkarni, a beloved name thanks to her iconic role in Pavitra Rishta. At 78 years old, Usha Tai, as she’s affectionately known, is not just holding her own in the kitchen; she’s also serving up a hearty dose of humour and candidness.
While Usha’s culinary skills have certainly impressed many, it’s her sharp, witty comments and no-nonsense opinions that have viewers eagerly awaiting each episode. Her unfiltered nature has made her an instant favourite and fans can’t get enough of her quirky sense of humour. Just recently, during a behind-the-scenes moment on the show, Usha Tai let loose with her thoughts on who’s really putting in the effort in the kitchen, and who’s just there to talk and steal the limelight.
In the latest teaser shared by Sony Entertainment on Instagram, Usha was asked about fellow contestant Nikki Tamboli. With her trademark honesty, she responded, “matlab dushmani nahi hai, wah dimag bidagti hai (meaning, I don’t have any enemies with her, she just messes with my head). She followed up with some playful remarks about Tejasswi Prakash, saying, “Teju hai badh badh badh badh badh (Teju is a chatterbox).
When asked about her least favourite contestant and what dish she would serve them, Usha gave a refreshing reply, saying, “Favourite vagairah aisa kuch nahi hai, sab mere dost hain aur main unki dost hun (I don’t have any favourites. They’re all my friends and I’m their friend).”
But the real gems came when she was asked about the contestants who talk more than they cook. Without holding back, she commented, “Idhar baki zyada baat karane vale bahut hain Raju hai, Nikki hai archana ka to baki chhodo aur Teju hai bad, badh, badh, badh, badh, badh, yahaan chef bolate hain unaka chala hai (Here, there are many who do more, Raju is there, Nikki is Archana, leave the rest and Teju is a chatterbox, here Chefs say it is his way).”
Usha also made it clear who she’d ban from the kitchen if she could: Archana. With a knowing laugh, Usha explained how Archana’s constant laughter over every little mishap frustrates her. Usha didn’t mince words when it came to her frustrations with that.
Watch it here:
When asked whether being a chef is as demanding as being an entrepreneur, Usha was quick to answer, “Yah aise savaal puchha mat karo. aap chooking karane jao phir samajh mein aaega ki kitana tough hai. hamako lagata hai hamaaree maee khaana banaatee hai auraten khaana banaatee hai unako kya kaam hai ghar mein baithane ka? khaana pakaane ka. are lekin samajha karo ghar mein kitane log hote hain (Don’t ask such questions. If you go for cooking then you will understand how tough it is. We think that our mother cooks and women cook, what is the use of them sitting at home? Of cooking. Hey, but please explain how many people are there in the house).”
And, in case anyone was wondering, Usha made it clear that pairing up with Archana in the kitchen is something she would never do. “Archana hi baki koyi matalab dushmani nahin hai vah dimaag bigadati hai isliye (Archana is the only one, there is no enmity, she spoils the mind, that’s why),” she added.
It’s clear that Usha Nadkarni isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and it’s exactly what makes her such a delight to watch on Celebrity Masterchef. New episodes air Monday to Friday at 8 PM on Sony TV and you can also stream them on the Sony Liv app.
