HOTSTAR PRESENTS THE ANOKHI AWARDS 2017 HONOURED THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY FROM AROUND THE WORLD

‘Hotstar Presents The ANOKHI Awards 2017’ rolled out the red carpet to welcome some of the world’s most renowned names in the areas of business, media, entertainment, crusader, and glamour, at Toronto’s historic Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, on Tuesday November 28th.

The evening began with a sizzling red carpet reception with over 30 celebrities and personalities making the fateful walk down a36 foot red carpet, which included ANOKHI PulseTv’s famous gold couch lounge against the backdrop of music by DJ Fizza. This was followed by a 2.5-hour auditorium style awards-fashion-entertainment show with 18 awards honours, 4 live musical performances, and a first of its kind fashion runway show, and hosted by 6 prominent personalities in media and entertainment.

The master of ceremonies, actor, comedian, and CBC radio host, Ali Hassan opened the show with a comedic monologue followed by ANOKHI MEDIA’s CEO and brand ambassador’s opening remarks that highlighted this year as the awards show’s 10th year that saw a record breaking nominations for Canadian South Asians. Raj spoke about the importance of the awards show, The ANOKHI List 2017 coffee table book, the vision behind the brand and the importance of recognizing and celebrating community achievements. She also thanked the event’s presenting sponsor Hotstar, followed by name mentions of the various sponsors and partners that helped make the event a great success.

[free-them]’s founder and CEO Shae Invidiata spoke on the initiative’s dedication to raising awareness and funds to abolish human trafficking in Canada and abroad by partnering with people, organizations, & businesses to fight human trafficking.

The night ended with an exclusive post show soiree with DJ AmitaHandaentertaining the guests until midnight. For those who were unable to attend due to the event being sold out, snippets of it was streamed live on ANOKHI MEDIA’s Facebook page, which can be see here: https://www.facebook.com/ANOKHIMedia/.

The event unveiled the 3rd edition commemorative coffee table book, The ANOKHI List 2017, featuring an eclectic array of 30 personalities from around the world. Over 600 guests attended the glamorous event and were all gifted a complimentary copy of the book as they left for the night.

The 18 awards presented honoured the following who were inducted into the global ANOKHI honourees fraternity:

PRESENTED BY HOTSTAR, MEDIA AWARDS: HOSTED BY ANGIE SETH, News Anchor, Global TV
– Babbu The Painter: Most Promising Artist 2017
– Hatecopy: Media Influencer Of The Year 2017
– Jake Dheer: Excellence InBroadcast Media 2017

PRESENTED BY HOTSTAR, CRUSADER AWARDS: HOSTED BY HINA P. ANSARI, Editor-in-Chief, The ANOKHI List 2017
– Niam Kumar Jain: Most Promising Autism Crusader 2017
– Arshad Khan: LGBTQI Crusader Of The Year 2017
PRESENTED BY HOTSTAR, ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS: HOSTED BY MOHIT RAJHANS, Principle & Creative Director, Think Start Inc.
– YouTwoTV: Comedic Performers Of The Year 2017
– AsadMecci: Performer Of The Year 2017

PRESENTED BY HOTSTAR, BUSINESS AWARDS: HOSTED BY JAKE DHEER, Senior Manager, Omni TV
– Reetu Gupta: Business Executive Of The Year 2017
– Naveen Prasad: Excellence in Film Entrepreneurship 2017
– Monika Deol: Excellence In Brand Entrepreneurship 2017
– Robin Sharma: Excellence In Wealth Entrepreneurship 2017

GLAMOUR AWARDS: HOSTED BY TRAVIS DHANRAJ, Anchor-Reporter, CP24 &Co-host, CP24 BREAKFAST WEEKEND
– SamanMunir: Beauty Influencer Of The Year 2017
– Nindy Kaur: Excellent In Style Innovation 2017
– Ali Xeeshan: Excellence In Fashion Design 2017

MUSIC AWARDS: HOSTED BY DEVO BROWN, Host & Personality, City TV – MiliSoch: Most Promising Musical Artist 2017
– Roveena: Female Musical Artist Of The Year 2017
– Deep Jandu: Male Musical Artist Of The Year 2017
– Raxstar: Excellence In Music Performance 2017

The 4 live musical performances were are eclectic as the genres of music showcased:
PERFORMANCES BY:
– MiliSoch, Desi Hip-Hop Artist
– Roveena, Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter
– Raxstar, Award-Winning Rap Artist
– Deep Jandu, Popular Bhangra Singer

First-time Canadian showcase of Pakistan’s number one bridal and celebrity fashion designer:
– Ali Xeeshan, Celebrity& Bridal Fashion Designer

ANOKHI MEDIA’s personalities also participated in the evening:
– Opening remarks by Raj Girn, Founder, President & CEO, ANOKHI MEDIA
– RuchikaBindra, ANOKHI Pulse Tv Lounge Host
– Vasudha Sharma, ANOKHI Spotlight Tv Host
– Kartikey Bhargava, ANOKHI MEDIA Facebook Live Host

Pre &Post Show Soiree performances by:
– DJ Fizza, Celebrity Deejay
– DJ Amita, Celebrity Deejay

DOWNLOAD PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NIGHT HERE:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vcdflbppkrzf2lo/AAAuKwGufgG7RPkFYpegHOZUa?dl=0

All photos have been captioned for your convenience.
COPYRIGHT 2017: ANOKHI MEDIA/Georgia Esporlas

RAJ GIRN, FOUNDER PRESIDENT & CEO PHOTO CREDITS
– Hair By: Joico
– Makeup By: Pretty Woman Cosmetics
– Jewelry By: Seasonz Toronto
– Dress By: Private Designer

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VALUED SPONSORS AND PARTNERSFOR THEIR INVALUABLE SUPPORT THIS YEAR:

Hosted By: ANOKHI MEDIA
Presenting Sponsor:Hotstar
Chrome Sponsor:Brar Desserts
Copper Sponsor: Rogers, Cargojet, Home Of Dentistry
Tin Sponsors: Vasanti Cosmetics
Venue Partner: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
Hotel Partner: Sheraton Centre Hotel Toronto
Charity Partner: [free-them]
Event Logistics Management: Think Big Productions
Talent Management: Chic Events by Sonia
Award Show Produced & Directed: Krista Slack
Fashion Show Produced & Choreographed: Toronto Fashion Academy
Show Animations: Philip Studios
Hair Sponsor:Joico
Makeup Sponsor: Pretty Woman Cosmetics
Talent & Volunteer Meals Sponsored: Eat Clean Meals
Featured Drink (Welcome Soiree) Sponsored:Jaan Liquor
Floral Sponsor: Jennifer Rabanillo Event Design Decor
Print Media Partner: The Weekly Voice
Coverage: ANOKHI Pulse TV, ANOKHI Spotlight TV, Open Chest with Raj Girn
Photography: Georgia Esporlas
Branding: AnEntity Inc.
Media Relations: Media Works
Facebook Live: ANOKHI MEDIA, Open Chest with Raj Girn
Promotional Partners: Besharam, Empire Entertainment, Must Be Kismet,Sapna Toronto, Shanu& Karim, Society’s Choice

EVENT HASHTAGS:
Primary hashtag: #hotstarANOKHI17
Secondary hashtags: #hotstarTheAnokhiAwards17 and #hotstarTheAnokhiList17

For more information about the awards show, coffee table book, and to interview Raj Girn, please contact:

Sumit Ahuja
Sumit@mediaworkss.com
1.905.962.3304

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About ANOKHI MEDIA

ANOKHI MEDIA was founded in 2002 by its award-winning President and CEO Raj Girn, who had the vision of creating a one-stop multimedia resource to communicate and engage intimately with the global South Asian community to which she belongs, as well as provide a platform for relevant and penetrative connectivity between the community and the commercial world at large. With this as the central focus and mission statement, Raj and her team have cultivated a 14-year history of a brand that has forged this vision into the mindshare of the community and market share of the client.

ANOKHI MEDIA’s portfolio includes a robust online community with an online magazine, blogosphere, three video channels, a print and digital coffee table book, an annual awards show, a boutique event series, a weekly newsletter, and a global social media network. It has also garnered an extensive, long-term, multi-national client base due to its innovative strategies and pioneering initiatives. The brand has become North America’s premier “go to” information resource for all aspects associated with South Asian pop culture, lifestyle and entertainment, for the consumer, the media and the commercial sector al large.