From Breakaway to Canada's Walk of Fame

Samita Nandy 
Celebrity Cultural Critic 
for StarBuzz

Celebrity Cultural Critic Samita Nandy on the fame of Russell Peters in Canada
StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Russell Peters is not only funny but also famous!

The Canadian comedian made his silver screen debut in the romantic comedy Breakaway.  Premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Breakaway is a film that portrays an all-Sikh hockey team and the Canadian dream of achieving hockey stardom.  Produced by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, Breakaway releases on September 30, 2011 and launches Russell Peters as a film actor in Canada.

Coincidentally, Russell Peters has also been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame (CWOF).  He has been permanently cemented into Toronto's Entertainment District and awarded a star.  The star, however, does not necessarily celebrate Russell Peter's existing stardom.  Although based on the star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame, CWOF does not aim to celebrate ‘celebrities’ or ‘fame’ as much as it celebrates Canadian excellence and achievements.  Marissa Soumalias, Manager of Inductee Relations, claims, “we no longer wanted to celebrate the fame and celebrity of people.”  In fact, CWOF aims to “get rid” of the Hollywood notion of fame in America.  In order to shift from the Hollywood notion of fame, CWOF renames its Canadian stars to ‘inductees’ and ‘honourees.’  In doing so, CWOF demonstrates:

[...] true essence of Canadian identity.  In every person that we acknowledge, they must be peace-loving, diverse, and harmonious; they must be social responsible, morally responsible, creative, competent, successful and innovate – if they don’t meet these criteria, they won’t make our list.

Soumalias further contends that Canadians are “humble” and “humanitarian,” and these “get back to our roots.”  She adds, “That’s what Canada is all about – we are a very humble, kind nation. We need to project that to the world."  In the past, Peters performed a number of stand-up comedies where he pointed out what it means to be a Canadian and have Canadian accents.  Now, he is being inducted into a Canadian commemorative site where all programming and content are 100% Canadian.  In light of these practices, Russell Peters is not simply awarded for his stand-up comedies and film but also for his performance of Canadianness.

Initially, CWOF used to be organized during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  Media representations of TIFF largely celebrate American stars in Hollywood North that CWOF aims to resist.  For Marissa Soumalias and Julianne Taskey, former Manager of Special Events,  there were legitimate reasons for the initial organization.  For them, it was a matter of sheer timing, venue availability, and meeting demands of broadcasters and PR representatives.  As a result of this, Soumalias and Taskey assert, some CWOF inductees were able to attend a film premiere at TIFF.  Alternatively, a star at TIFF was able to attend the annual gala event of CWOF.  In both cases, these stars would receive front page and / or exclusive coverage in media.  Soumalias and Taskey contend that the overall international coverage around and within TIFF helped to establish the identity of CWOF.  However, Soumalias states that CWOF is now able to be a “stand-alone [Canadian] event” and does not need to be organized in the same way as TIFF.   

Recently, Russell Peters attended the premiere of his film Breakaway at TIFF and is expected to attend the CWOF award ceremony in October.  For more information on Russell Peters' upcoming performances, check his official website http://www.russellpeters.com/  

Pics: Ben Girn

Indo-Canadian Star Lisa Ray Encourages South Asian Community to Talk about Breast Cancer

Internationally acclaimed performer and philanthropist shares her reasons for being involved in the 2011 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Sept. 28, 2011 – CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) – Canada’s South Asian community has to become more aware and more comfortable talking about issues likes breast cancer, says Lisa Ray, cancer survivor and celebrity spokesperson for the 2011 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

Ms. Ray, an internationally acclaimed performer and philanthropist, is one of five Canadian celebrities and Olympians who are the face of CIBC’s Run for the Cure campaign this year. The others are ET Canada’s Rosey Edeh, Olympic medalists Catriona Le May Doan, Cheryl Pounder and Heather Davis. These high profile women have elected to share their stories with all Canadians this year to build awareness of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, which last year raised a record $33 million to support breast cancer research, education, awareness, advocacy, early diagnosis and effective treatment. 

“We have to talk about breast cancer more in the South Asian community, and bring it out in the open because it’s too often not spoken about,” said Ms. Ray. “As a ‘cancer graduate’, my life has an added dimension and purpose that I didn’t have before. Being transparent and open about my experience with cancer has served many different purposes, and I’m proud to be able to be connected with the CIBC Run for the Cure.”

“The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and CIBC work tirelessly to bring the awareness needed to such an important cause. I’m so grateful to have this second chance at life, so thankful for those who have supported me, and I wish the same for all those who are going through their own difficult journeys. I hope that by sharing my experience about the importance of paying attention to changes in your health, talking openly with your doctor and getting tested, I can motivate others in the South Asian community to do the same.”

This year marks CIBC's 15^th Anniversary as title sponsor of the Run for the Cure – the largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraising event in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation which puts donor dollars to work to fund breast cancer research, education and awareness programs in Canada.

“This is a cause that is very close to our hearts because it impacts the lives of so many Canadians – including many of our team members, our clients and our loved ones,” said Raza Hasan, CIBC Senior Vice-President.

“We have covered a lot of ground in these past 15 years,” Mr Hasan continued, “and we continue to be very committed to raising funds and building awareness through the CIBC Run for the Cure. This year, we are thrilled that Lisa Ray and other high profile Canadian women have joined our campaign, lending their star power to help us reach even more Canadians.”

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure

Since 1992, the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure remains the largest, single-day, volunteer-led national event in support of creating a future without breast cancer. In 2010, close to 170,000 participants raised $33 million to fund innovative breast cancer research, education and awareness programs. On Sunday, October 2, 2011, this national movement will connect participants and volunteers in 59 communities across the country to support our vision of creating a future without breast cancer. For more information, visit www.cbcf.org.

About CIBC

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBCChildren's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2010, $33.7 million was contributed through the CIBC group of companies to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – 25 Years of Progress
For the last 25 years, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has been at the forefront of a nation-wide movement to raise awareness and mobilize action on breast cancer. Today, the Foundation is the leading organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Since 1986, from coast to coast, we have invested over $230 million to fund vital research, education and health promotion programs that have led progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Visit cbcf.org and join the movement.

Bipasha Basu in Toronto by StarBuzz Weekly

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

IIFA Awards (2011) Toronto - some glimpses

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

Stars of Bollywood - tribute to the bollywood stars, through dance

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

Toronto, August 26, 2011: Shiamak Davar International’s dance extravaganza Stars of Bollywood - tribute to the bollywood stars, through dance played out to an audience bursting at the seams last night. The show meant to be a one-night-only event was held at Markham Theatre. Thanks to popular demand; Stars of Bollywood will be back! This time around the show will be held at Brampton’s Rose Theatre on October 16, 2011.     

                                                .
This large scale stage ensemble produced by Bollywood’s most respected and globally renowned dancer and choreographer, Shiamak Davar, promised to bring a unique cultural experience to audiences in the GTA… The animated audiences were proof that it delivered right on point.

“Stars of Bollywood is a vibrant, high energy show that brings out the best of Bollywood’s essence”. Says Davar “Shiamak’s dance company has performed this ensemble all over the world including India, China, UK and USA; for this particular performance, the Toronto team put in hours and sleepless nights practicing and the exuberant response by our audiences today paid off”, adds Mitul kadakia, Manager for Shiamak Davar International - Toronto.

With the overwhelming response and rush for tickets for last nights show in mind, SDI is pleased to announce that the show will be back this October. “We will bring back the magic on October 16, 2011” Cheered the enthusiastic performers. SDI promises that the show will come back with a bigger bang later this fall. New costumes, props and even more fan-fare are in store.

 

"Breakaway" Media Launch at Host Mississauga. - Movie Releases 30th Sept 2011 World Wide

Canadian Production "Breakaway" is about to launch  Bollywood North America along with Canadian Film Industry to the world wide audience. 

Song "Shera Di Khom"  is already breaking  records world wide.

The film has a stellar star cast from Bollywood, Hollywood and Bollywood North America (Canada)  with Vinay Virmani as Rajveer Singh,  Russell Peters as Sonu, Camilla Belle as Melissa Winters, Anupam Kher as Darvesh Singh, Rob Lowe as Coach Dan Winters, Sakina Jaffrey as Livleen Singh, Gurpreet Ghuggi as Uncle Sammy, Noureen DeWulf as Reena. Cameo appearances, Akshay Kumar, Drake, Ludacris.

"It is a family film for kids to seniors with a message that is going to touch every ones heart to its core", says the promoter Nav Bhatia of NBE.  "Every time I see the movie I love it even more", says Nav again from his heart.

"North America Bollywood and the Canadian film industry are going to be recognized in a different way all over the world with the release of this film which is going to go world wide on the 30th September 2011" says co-producer Pauline Dhillon.

Film is also being shown at TIFF on 10th of September in a grand style where the entry of the lead cast will be on an elephant... typically symbolic to Indian customs. A section of the Yonge Street is going to be closed for that day.

There is going to be a "Breakaway Buzz Mela" in Brampton on 11th September from 10am to 6pm where all the stars are going to be present.  The lead for this dynamic star-studded event  has been taken on by Anu Srivastava of Brampton City.

 

.

Mallika Sherawat in Toronto during IIFA Awards - StarBuzz Weekly Toronto

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

Breakaway New Movie Trailer 2011 ft Russell peters and Anupam Kher

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

Rahul Nath’s Foreign enters the Canadian Market

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

There has been great buzz surrounding Foreign, mostly because of its taboo subjects that it covers and also of the highly praised performances of the cast that includes British born Rahul Nath, America’s Puja Mohindra and India’s character actresses Ananya Khare and Shruti Tewari. 

The story unfolds around an Indian born girl Radhika who is about to set sail to the other side of the world to join her newly wed husband and his mother.  Unaware to her, she is about set foot in an abusive relationship and suffers humiliation at the hands of her mother in law.  As a rescue she seeks advice from a local doctor who attempts to console her, but he is later shocked to find out that Radhika is HIV positive.  Radhika then discovers that the doctor and the husband have been in a previous sexual relationship and that her mother in law is unaware of her son’s promiscuous activity.  As part of her revenge and justice she sets up a false dinner and poisons her husband, her mother in law and the doctor for the betrayal of her trust

The film has pulled through several festivals for its bold nature, but critics have really been smitten by the performances of Rahul Nath and Puja Mohindra, who combined together have given an explosive combination.  Nath who has is known for his key in drama pulls off a gut churning performance as a closeted doctor attempting to keep his love going at any cost.  A major risk for the Indian market, Nath has been praised for being one of the few to play such a gutsy role and that too in the lead actor category.  His performance is one that fools you at the start of the movie, but slowly his real nature is given light as the movie unfolds. He has been awarded for such courage at several film festivals.  Mohindra on the other hand has played a role that allows the woman to fight back, again a rarity for the cinema.  Mohindra has been given nothing but showers of accolades for taking on and playing so well the role of Radhika

The supporting cast has had a lot to offer.  In a movie based around women, you would think that too many cooks would spoil the dinner, but the styles that Ananya Khare and Shruti Tewari have given us, sets them apart in their own way.  Shruti Tewari is perfect as a mean spirited and vindictive women who likes to bully and trouble her new daughter in law, but also likes to dress like she is about to walk down a Mumbai catwalk.  She is so Bollywood that it is difficult not to laugh at characters like her.  Ananya Khare, in a complete role reversal, plays a down to earth and sweet sibling, a first seen for her.

Foreign is now making its way to the Canadian market as it is now in consideration for Filmi Toronto, the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Calgary International Film Festival and with a large following of East Indians in Canada, there is no doubt that Foreign will find a home here

The movie which was written and directed by Nath, has opened to great reviews and box office collections in India, and with a recent visit to Mumbai to promote this and his new venture Compromise, Bollywood directors are trying their best to woo Nath over to India to be a part of projects with directors like Shyam Benegal and Mahesh Bhatt