Article by Gina Chrysanthou & Poem below by Amita Chatterji
The paparazzi, media and excited groupies gathered outside Grosvenor House Hotel to see dignitaries and VIP guests from the world of entertainment, technology, sports, business and politics arrive for the highly anticipated 5th Asian Awards.
My mother Amita and I representing Pukka PR were warmly greeted by attractive hostesses directing guests to the Awards Reception. Pukka PR had helped to promote the Asian Awards.
Some of the charming glamorous guests we spoke to and took photos of at the champagne & canapés Reception included:- Rupi Sital & her colleague from Apsley Tailors who supplied the suit for the Silent Auction; Richie Nanda Chairman of The Shield Group which provides security for the Asian Awards; Dr Rami Ranger Chairman of Sun Mark; Toni Lit MD of Sunrise Radio; Monica Sharma from Lord Bilamoria's office, Lord Karan Bilamoria CBE Chairman of Cobra Beer, Mei Sim Lai OBE Founder of Laipeters & Co, Raj Singh PR, Designer Kari Chaudhry, Raj & Pablo Bollywood broadcasters, Magician Magic Singh and several others.
At dinner, seated behind us in the Great Room was the world renowned designer John Rocha accompanied by his wife and family. I have great respect for the work John has done in the fashion industry and was glad to see him collecting an award.
The cast of forthcoming ‘Bend it Like Beckham The Musical' performed a sequence from the West End show so we got a taste of what to expect. Director/Screenplay Writer Gurinder Chadha expressed great enthusiasm for her new project and encouraged guests at the Awards to see the musical which opens at Phoenix Theatre in May 2015.
In between dinner courses, I browsed items at the Silent Auction table and chatted to Ollie Locke from Made in Chelsea. Also spoke to John, a Chelsea Antiques dealer and, Lydia from The Only Way is Essex who praised the organisers for putting on a wonderful show.
A live auction took place in aid of Prince Charles's charity The British Asian Trust where unique items and experiences such as afternoon tea on HM The Queen's Row Barge ‘Gloriana' were auctioned off.
Gok Wan TV Presenter/Fashion Guru and winner of Outstanding Achievement in Television at Asian Awards 2014 cheerfully hosted the Awards this year.
Menswear designer Ozwald Boateng whom we met last year at his Savile Row boutique African art exhibition, presented the Outstanding Achievement for Art & Design award to John Rocha.
Dr Amar Bose Founder of Bose corporation who passed away in 2013 was honoured with the Founders Award. His daughter Maya Bose proudly collected the award on his behalf and delivered a touching speech.
Sanjeev Bhaskar Actor/Comedian/Writer and creator of popular TV shows ‘Goodness Gracious Me' and ‘The Kumars at No. 42' won the Outstanding Contribution to TV award.
One of Britain's favourite football players and face of Walkers crisps Gary Lineker and his wife Danielle presented the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award to cricketer Kumar Sangakkara who'll be retiring from cricket later this year.
Simon Cowell's former protégé Zayn Malik received lots of adulation especially from female admirers while accepting the Outstanding Achievement in Music award. He remarked ‘'it's incredibly humbling to accept an award on the same stage as people I've looked up to my entire life...I'd like to thank my mum and dad for making me Asian.'' Apparently Gurinder Chadha is keen to work with Zayn Malik in some capacity in the future.
Bollywood movie legend Shah Rukh Khan was the idol most people were eager to see. Khan is a versatile actor whose roles have covered a range of film genres - action, romance, comedy, thriller, drama and he can dance well too. Khan truly deserved the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema award and was extremely grateful to everyone. He commented ‘'all of you are an inspiration, all of you people make me want to work harder and I thank you all with humility for allowing me to go on to work.''
I was fortunate to have recently worked in London as a Supporting Artiste on ‘Fan' a Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan. I played a journalist in a scene where a press conference takes place. I observed that not only is SRK the master of his craft, he's also one of the most courteous and considerate people I've worked with on a film set.
After the Awards ceremony guests sampled confectionary by ‘Sweet Boy Sweet Girl' and, DJ Krash took to the music decks as jolly guests danced the conga round the room at the Afterparty.
As ever, it was a sparkling Awards ceremony acknowledging the achievements and contributions made by inspiring Asians. And, throughout the evening a considerable amount of schmoozing, boozing and selfie-taking took place!
Asian Awards Founder Paul Sagoo works passionately with his support network and has made the Asian Awards a hugely successful annual mainstream event which is extremely commendable. The Asian Awards has become one of the most respected and prestigious award ceremonies in the UK and we hope to see the Awards televised by mainstream UK TV channels in the future.
Other winners of the Asian Awards 2015 were:
Chivas Regal Social Entrepreneur of The Year: Gopi Gopalakrishnan
Outstanding Achievement in Science & Technology - Professor Sir Tejinder Singh Virdee
Entrepreneur of The Year - Jack Ma
Business Leader of The Year - The Hinduja Brothers
Article by Gina Chrysanthou - Photos below by Gina Chrysanthou & Amita Chatterji
Poem: Asian Awards 2015 - Matter of Fact
Paul Sagoo, where are you...
Now you see him, now you don't.
Split atoms, protons and electrons
A highly-charged colourful event
Was the Asian Awards '15.
Happy, were Gina and I celebrating with
Guests the success of Award winners -
Entertainers, the ‘Kumar' makers,
Stage directors, movers and shakers.
Designers, charities and auctioneers,
Sportsmen, singers and great screen icons
The mighty mortal Bollywood King
Shah Rukh Khan.
Money spinners, walkers, talkers,
Online streamers, scientists & code breakers.
Such was the talent and energy
Harnessed in the Great Room -
And, at the lively After Party
Dance, music and much boom, boom.
The noisy night slipped into
Dark matter, anti matter
All kinds of mater
As a matter of fact
‘Twas a great night!
© By Amita Chatterji
John Rocha & Gina Chrysanthou Amita Chatterji & Professor Sir Tejinder Singh Virdee
Monica Sharma (green oufit) with friends
Ollie Locke & Awards hostesses Dr. Rami Ranger MBE (centre) & friends
Raj & Pablo Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE
Rupi Sital & colleague
Kari Chaudhry & friend Magic Singh & wife Pavan
Mei Sim Lai OBE
Silent Auction items: Art work by Tracy Emin & Sports memorabilia
Amy Christophers, Casey Batchelor, Farah Sattaur, Anita Kaushik
Richie Nanda (2nd from left) Dr Rami Ranger (centre) Tony Lit (far right)
Raj Singh (far right) & guests
Dr. Rami Ranger MBE & Gina Chrysanthou
Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder with cast of 'Bend It Like Beckham The Musical'
Below: photos of Silent Auction items for The British Asian Trust
Guest sampling confectionary by 'Sweet Boy Sweet Girl'
For photos of the Asian Awards 2015 recipients please view: www.theasianawards.com
Please view full collection of Pukka PR's photos in the Gallery:
The Asian Awards 2015