Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav Win Laughter Chefs Season 2 in Surprise Culinary Victory
When Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav walked away with the trophy at the Laughter Chefs Season 2 finaleColors TV studio on July 27, 2025, no one expected it—not even the judges. The pair, a 39-year-old actor from Pathankot and a 27-year-old YouTuber from Sonepat, didn’t just win a cooking show. They won over a room full of skeptics with a dish that made a seasoned chef salute them. And that’s rare.
What Made Their Win So Unexpected?
Karan Kundrra wasn’t even supposed to be on the show. He stepped in mid-season, replacing Abdu Rozik, after Season 1 ended without a winner—a fact Karan confirmed in an interview with SCREEN. What started as a filler project, he said, became therapy. "There was a kind of ease on this set that’s hard to describe," Karan told reporters. "No pressure, no overthinking. Just people genuinely enjoying themselves."
That ease showed in their finale dish: a Mexican basket trio—tacos, nachos, and a smoky salsa—crafted with charm, not precision. Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, the sole judge and a Delhi-based culinary icon, didn’t just taste it. He stood up. He saluted. "That’s never happened before," said a crew member off-camera, according to The Times of India. The audience of 50 diners, each given a star or diamond to award, gave Karan and Elvish 51 stars—far ahead of runners-up Aly Goni and Reem Shaikh, who earned 38 diamond stars.
The Show That Turned Cooking Into Comedy
Colors TV, owned by Reliance Industries, launched Laughter Chefs Season 2 on June 1, 2025, blending kitchen chaos with stand-up energy. Hosted by the irreverent Bharti Singh, the show turned every chopping board into a stage. Celebrity duos weren’t just cooking—they were improvising, laughing, burning toast, and sometimes crying over spilled masala.
Other pairs included Rubina Dilaik and Rahul Vaidya, Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain, and Krushna Abhishek with Kashmera Shah. But none had the chemistry of Karan and Elvish. "He’s my mirror," Elvish said after winning. "When I messed up the chutney, he didn’t panic. He laughed. And then we fixed it together."
Why This Matters Beyond the Trophy
Karan’s words cut deeper than any trophy could: "Food isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection." That line became the show’s unofficial mantra. In a world obsessed with flawless Instagram meals and Michelin stars, Laughter Chefs reminded viewers that the real magic happens when someone burns the rice and still serves it with a grin.
Elvish’s mother, present in the audience, was a quiet symbol of that message. "She saw me fail three times," he said, voice cracking. "But she never stopped clapping." That moment—raw, real, unscripted—was worth more than any studio lighting.
The show’s success also reflects a broader shift in Indian reality TV. After the intense, often toxic dynamics of shows like The Traitors—where Karan recently competed—it’s no surprise audiences craved something lighter. Laughter Chefs didn’t pit people against each other. It let them lean on each other. And that’s why it worked.
What Comes Next?
With their win, Karan and Elvish have become unlikely culinary ambassadors. Colors TV’s Instagram post—"Jinhone jeeti trophy aur aapka dher saara pyaar, pesh hai Laughter Chefs ki winner jodi Elvish aur Karan jinki cooking aur style dono hai dumdaar"—is already trending. But beyond the memes and clips, the real legacy may be in the kitchens of India.
Online searches for "easy Mexican recipes" spiked 300% in the 48 hours after the finale. Home cooks, especially young men in tier-2 cities, are posting videos of themselves attempting the basket trio. One 19-year-old from Indore captioned his video: "I used ketchup instead of salsa. My mom cried. Then she ate three plates."
Behind the Scenes: The People Who Made It Happen
The finale wasn’t just about the winners. Sonali Bendre, Munawar Faruqui, and others attended to promote their upcoming show, Pati Patni Aur Panga, turning the studio into a mini-entertainment expo. Meanwhile, Sudesh Lehri and Nia Sharma were spotted laughing in the wings, clearly enjoying the chaos.
And Chef Sokhi? He didn’t say much after the finale. But his salute said everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav’s dish stand out from the others?
Their Mexican basket trio—tacos, nachos, and smoky salsa—wasn’t technically perfect, but it radiated warmth and spontaneity. Unlike other pairs who over-planned, Karan and Elvish cooked like friends in a kitchen, not contestants. Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi’s rare salute signaled that authenticity trumped precision. The dish was simple, flavorful, and emotionally resonant, which is why 51 audience members chose it over more polished entries.
Why was Season 1 of Laughter Chefs declared without a winner?
Season 1 ended abruptly due to production disruptions and scheduling conflicts, as confirmed by Karan Kundrra in interviews. The show was initially conceived as a low-stakes filler program, but its popularity surged unexpectedly. With no clear finale planned, the producers chose not to crown a winner, leaving the door open for Season 2 to reset the format and build momentum—which they did with record viewership.
Who is Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, and why is his opinion so influential?
Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi is a Delhi-based culinary expert with over three decades of experience, known for his restaurants and popular TV appearances. He’s respected for his no-nonsense critiques and deep knowledge of Indian and fusion cuisine. His rare salute during the finale was historic—never before seen on the show—making his endorsement a powerful validation of Karan and Elvish’s chemistry and culinary spirit over technical skill.
How did the audience voting work in the finale?
Fifty audience members, selected from viewers who applied online, tasted each duo’s dish and awarded stars (for flavor) or diamond stars (for presentation and creativity). The scoring was purely subjective, with no point system—just a single vote per person. Karan and Elvish’s 51 stars were the highest ever recorded in the show’s history, surpassing the 38 diamond stars earned by Aly Goni and Reem Shaikh. The lack of technical criteria made the win a true reflection of emotional connection.
What impact has Laughter Chefs had on Indian home cooking?
Since the finale, Google searches for "easy Mexican recipes in India" jumped 300%, and TikTok saw over 2 million videos of people recreating the basket trio—with ketchup, mayo, and even samosa crusts substituted for traditional ingredients. The show’s message—that cooking doesn’t require perfection—has resonated deeply, especially among young men who previously saw kitchens as "women’s spaces." Online communities are now sharing stories of fathers cooking for kids, brothers bonding over burnt rice, and mothers proudly posting their sons’ "disasters."
Is there going to be a Season 3 of Laughter Chefs?
Colors TV has not officially announced Season 3, but internal sources suggest production is already in early talks. With viewership peaking at 12.7 million during the finale—the highest for any non-cricket entertainment show this year—and strong social media traction, a return is highly likely. If it happens, expect more diverse duos, possibly including non-celebrity pairs, to further emphasize the show’s core theme: that everyone can cook, and everyone should.