VANCOUVER – The bronze stars for 2021 Inductees, R Paul Dhillon, an award-winning filmmaker and journalist, and Walter Daroshin, filmmaker and the founder of Leo Awards, have now been inserted into the sidewalk along the Granville Street StarWalk.
They are in good company in front of 839 Granville, next to the stars of David Y.H. Lui – Impresario, Philip Keatley – Television, Mart Kenney – Music, and Otto Lowy, CBC Radio and Television.
Dhillon, who has been a long time Editor of the South Asian LINK Newspaper and founder-publisher of DESIBUZZCanada.com, made the trek to Granville to see his star with his good friend, who made this delightful surprise possible in the midst of the pandemic.
“Some days are just wonderful and they’re about living the life you always dreamt of,” Dhillon wrote on his facebook Tuesday. “Today is one of those days, hanging with my bro The Oracle, restaurant hopping and enjoying Mission Hill Rose and Sangria for the first time. It’s an absolute joy cause we’re celebrating my Star on BC Entertainment Hall of Fame’s StarWalk on Granville Street. This is pure bliss. And what a great feeling to have a permanent landmark bearing my name. I have only my buddy Birdy to thank for it. Bro you Rock and you’re a true friend!!! Blessed and forever thankful! Thank you!!”
There will be an official ceremony in the fall for my Star unveiling!
About The 2021 StarWalk Inductees
R. Paul Dhillon – Producer, Director, Screenwriter
R. Paul Dhillon is an award-winning journalist, screenwriter, producer and director based in Vancouver, Canada. He has also done freelance writing for mainstream publications like The Vancouver Sun and Georgia Straight newspapers, where he was a film critic. Dhillon’s early work includes TEARS AND SIGHS on the abuses of alcohol in the South Asian community as well as a WATNO DUR, a Variety television show. Other credits include THE SAINT SOLDIER (1999/2000) – a one-hour documentary on B.C.’s Sikh community. SLICES OF MY LIFE (1992/93), a slice of the immigrant experience and SOUTH VAN STUD (1992), a play for Expressions ’92 Youth Festival. He has written, produced and directed numerous documentaries for televisions as well as two feature films, including his debut SWEET AMERIKA, a story set around the time of 9/11 about a Sikh grocery store owner in New York. Dhillon’s popular music documentary THE BHANGRA GENERATION and Sweet Amerika were acquired by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Dhillon also produced 13-part music Documentary Series BHANGRALICIOUS, which he wrote and directed for national broadcast. He has also written numerous screenplays, including the thriller OF HEAVEN AND HELL and crime drama B TOWN BOYZ. He also wrote, produced and directed his latest feature THE FUSION GENERATION, which was released theatrically on August 30th, 2019.
Walter Daroshin – Producer, Screenwriter, Director
Walter Daroshin is the President of Troika Productions Inc., Chair of The Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of BC, Founder and President of the Leo Awards and a Member of the Vancouver International Film Festival Advisory Council. Troika’s film and television programs have been broadcast in 30 countries and screened at film festivals throughout the world. Walter has been nominated for and received numerous National and International awards. He has adjudicated the British Columbia Arts Awards Program, the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival, the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, the Utah High Adventure Mountain Film Festival, the Whistler Film Festival, the Reel 2 Real International Youth Film Festival, the Okanagan International Film Festival and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s Gemini and Genie Awards.
