Shantanu and Nikhil, Celebrity Fashion Designers

(Delhi, INDIA)

"It is a privilege to be invited to ANOKHI Magazine's 11th Anniversary Awards Show Celebration. This gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude towards all who have helped us grow. This function endorses our belief in what we do and gives us the platform to reach out to those we create for."

- Shantanu & Nikhil 

Sakina Jaffrey, Actor 

"She has this uncanny ability to be fully present in what she is doing and yet with a mere side glance at you make you feel completely included. It's like she brings you to life. That is . . . Unique."  

- Sarita Choudhury, Actor

Nazneen Contractor, Actress

(Los Angeles, USA)

Star Trek Into The Darkness, 24, Revenge

"One look into her deeply genuine brown eyes and you can't help but to feel connected to her in the most honest way. I am grateful to have shared the screen with her, but even more grateful to call her a friend."

- Necar Zadegan, Actor

Gabe Grey, Actor

(Toronto, CAN)

Bomb Girls, Lucky 7

"Gabe Grey is ANOKHI because not only is he passionate about deepening his work as a quality actor, but he is equally passionate in his dedication and determination to speak out, challenge and broaden the ways in which South Asians are portrayed in movies and TV."  

- Meg Tilly, Actress, Oscar Nominee & Golden Globe Winner.

Jimmy Soni, Managing Editor, The Huffington Post

(New York, USA)

"There are so many different aspects of Jimmy's personality and character that make him unique, but the one that stands out to many of us is that he manages to combine a passion for new media and all things digital with an equally powerful sense of and appreciation for, history and philosophy. He might be that rare managing editor who is digesting both Mashable and Marcus Aurelius's Meditations in one sitting."

- Arianna Huffington, Founder/President/Editor-In-Chief, The Huffington Post 

Raoul Juneja, Creator/Content Coordinator V-Mix, OMNI TV

(Toronto, CAN)

 "Having known Raoul Juneja for many years, I can say his passion for music, art and community are astounding. He has a unique way of incorporating multiple cultures and arts to educate his audience, but also to support the artists in their work. His work reflects the oneness the hip-hop community teaches and he is an incredible asset to the Canadian music and art world!"

- Justin BUA, Artist/Author/ TV Host 

DJ Jiten

(Toronto, CAN)

"I have seen ANOKHI Magazine and the ANOKHI awards show grow over the last 11 years to what it is today- what an accomplishment!  Staying powerful and relevant doesn't come easy so I commend Raj and the ANOKHI team for not only staying, but getting bigger every year!  As a returning award Alumni, I am honoured to be a part of this year's event. I look forward to celebrating with all at the afterparty!"- DJ Jiten

Anne-Marie Mediwake, Co-Host of CBC News Toronto  

(Toronto, CAN)

News anchor Anne-Marie Mediwake is the co-host of CBC News Toronto at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. weeknights on CBC Television. In 2011, Anne-Marie was named the GTA's Woman of the Year at the Consumer's Choice Awards, recognizing the trust she has earned from viewers for her commitment to journalistic excellence and her active community involvement.

Sangita Patel, Entertainment Reporter, ET Canada

(Toronto, CAN)

 "I met Sangita a few years ago and she stood out as someone who is incredibly down to earth, approachable and a ton of fun! Fast forward a few years and I now have the pleasure of working side by side with her at ET Canada. One of her many amazing qualities is that she's genuine: what you see is what you get!"

Veronica Chail, Host, Bollywood Blvd., OMNI TV

(Toronto, CAN)

"I'm thrilled to return to the ANOKHI stage to celebrate the beautiful game changers in the global South Asian scene. It's a true honour being one of ANOKHI's esteemed 'Sexy & Successful' alumni and I sincerely want to thank Raj Girn and her amazing team for their invaluable support. I look forward to the fabulous fashion fest that awaits us on the runway thanks to the renowned designer duo, Shantanu & Nikhil. Their delicious creations simply melt my fashion heart!" - Veronica Chail

Amin Dhillon, Host, Anchor, Reporter, ATN

"I'm honoured to be presenting at ANOKHI's prestigious 11th Anniversary awards show. I am looking forward to an amazing night celebrating our wonderful diverse South Asian talent from around the world. I want to thank Raj Girn and the ANOKHI team for creating an evening that brings the very best from the world of fashion, entertainment, and music-all of my absolute favourite things!"- Amin Dillon

ALI HASSAN, Comedian, Laugh Out Loud, CBC

(Toronto, CAN)

"In the 3 years that I've lived in Toronto, I've been able to achieve a number of goals I set out to accomplish in both film and television.  That someone like Raj - who truly understands drive, ambition and success - would recognize that, and have me here as an ANOKHI Awards presenter this year is a real honour."

- Ali Hassan

DAVID ROCCO, Celebrity Chef

(Toronto, CAN)

David appears regularly as a Celebrity Chef on numerous television shows and series broadcast around the world.  His internationally syndicated hit television series David Rocco's Dolce Vita can be seen in more than 120 countries including the Cooking Channel in the U.S., Food Network and TLN in Canada, BBC Food, Discovery Travel and Leisure, Nat Geo Adventure Channel in Italy and India's Fox Traveller.  David also starred in Avventura: Journey in Italian Cuisine for PBS and Food Network Canada and Amalfi Getaway for Cooking Channel and Food Network Canada.

GURDEEP AHLUWALIA, Anchor and Reporter, 

TSN SportsCentre

(Toronto, CAN)

Gurdeep Ahluwalia is an anchor and reporter for SportsCentre, contributing frequent stories from across the Toronto sports scene.  

Ahluwalia joins TSN from CP24, Toronto's No. 1 source for breaking news, where he garnered a loyal following in his role as weekend co-host of CP24 Breakfast and as a weekday reporter and anchor. While at CP24, Ahluwalia made occasional appearances on TSN as an anchor and reporter.

JENNIFER SINGH, GO Transit Reporter, CP24 Breakfast and CP24 News

(Toronto, CAN)

Jennifer Singh has worked in the broadcast industry for the last 15 years producing, writing and reporting for several of Canada's major media outlets. 

Just weeks after graduating from journalism school in 2006, Jennifer landed her first TV reporting gig with OMNI News in Toronto. She covered local, national and international issues and produced health and entertainment features.

A year later, Jennifer came home to Toronto to report for CBC Radio News before joining GO Transit.  

DALMAR ABUZEID, Actor  

(Toronto, CAN)

Dalmar Abuzeid was born on October 23, 1990 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is an actor, known for Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001), Degrassi Goes Hollywood(2009) and Majority Rules! (2009). 

Dalmar has also been in Murdoch Mysteries and hit show Flashpoint.

KALISTA ZACKHARIYAS, Actor, Filmmaker, 

Founder of The Youth Code  

(Toronto, CAN)

Currently in production with her first film, Kalista Zackhariyas is an Actor, Writer and a Filmmaker.  A critically acclaimed actress, her most notable performance was in the theatrically released feature film Snow.

Kalista Zackhariyas is currently dividing her time as a director on her own production and her non-profit organization. Feeling blessed to be an artist in the entertainment industry, she has been featured and interviewed by numerous publications and news media both in Canada and internationally.