Mumbai: Michelin-starred chef-turned-filmmaker Vikas Khanna, widely celebrated for his culinary brilliance and humanitarian work, is now channeling his storytelling into cinema with his upcoming film Imaginary Rain. For Khanna, the most special aspect of the project is directing the legendary actor Shabana Azmi, an experience he describes as the “greatest highlight” of his life.

A Film Close to the Heart

Imaginary Rain is an adaptation of Khanna’s 2023 novel of the same name and explores themes of grief, family, and rediscovering passion through Indian cuisine. Shabana Azmi will play a MasterChef in Manhattan who reconnects with her roots in India following a personal tragedy. The film also stars Prateik Patil, and A.R. Rahman has contributed to the project, enhancing its cinematic and musical appeal.

Khanna, who has also written the screenplay, shared his excitement in an interview with PTI. “My next movie is coming out in a few months. It’s called Imaginary Rain, it’s with Shabana Azmi, A.R. Rahman, and Prateik. It’s about a chef in New York. I think it’s my life’s best work. And to direct Shabana Azmi has been one of the biggest privileges of my life. I’m very proud of it. For me to convince her to play this role possibly will be one of the greatest highlights of my life,” he said.

Balancing Film, Food, and Life

Despite his busy schedule running his New York restaurant Bungalow, Khanna is actively working toward the film’s release. “I’m so busy with Bungalow that I’ve no breathing space. I’m stuck inside the restaurant 24×7, but now it’s my big mission to have this movie find home. I promise you that you might have never seen a food movie like this in your life before. This is the best work of my life,” he shared.

Khanna also reflected on hosting Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at his restaurant. He recounted how the couple assisted in making ‘Anar ke modak’ sweets during New Year celebrations, calling it a privilege and a way of introducing Indian culinary traditions to a wider audience. “It’s putting a new breath of life into our traditions. I’m very proud that God has given me the opportunity and the stage where I can do this beautifully, organically, and feed into a celebration of India,” he said.

MasterChef India 2026: Celebrating Indian Cuisine

Khanna is also returning as a judge on the ninth season of MasterChef India, which premieres January 5 on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. Alongside Khanna, the season will feature Chef Ranveer Brar and actor Kunal Kapoor as judges. A notable twist this season is the ‘jodi’ format, where contestants compete in pairs—spouses, family members, friends, or inter-generational duos—challenging each other to elevate their culinary skills under the judges’ guidance.

Reflecting on the show’s impact, Khanna highlighted its role in transforming India’s cooking culture and honoring chefs nationwide. “The journey has been unbelievable since the beginning. Besides, it has helped us to stand shoulder to shoulder with global chefs. I also feel that this has been a very important spark point for people to understand cooking in a much bigger spectrum,” he said.

Pride in Indian Food

For Khanna, MasterChef India is not just a competition; it is a platform that deepens understanding of Indian cuisine across regions. Having moved to the US at a young age, he felt a personal responsibility to elevate Indian cooking globally. “I used to feel the pride of cooking Indian food was missing. This entire platform has sparked that whole pride, especially post-pandemic, when people became so conscious. Also, social media has helped a lot in it,” he said.

Khanna further explained that the diversity showcased on the show has enriched both judges and contestants. “From auditions to the whole process of making dishes during the competition, it is a learning opportunity even for judges. For me, it’s like almost going for a PhD research every time I come for a season here,” he added.

Looking Ahead

With Imaginary Rain and MasterChef India 2026, Vikas Khanna continues to bridge his two passions—food and storytelling—bringing Indian cuisine and culture to audiences worldwide. Directing Shabana Azmi, crafting a cinematic tale of culinary and emotional rediscovery, and inspiring contestants on national television, Khanna’s multifaceted journey as a chef, filmmaker, and mentor exemplifies his commitment to celebrating India’s culinary and cultural heritage.