Ledger Pop Journal - Celebrity News & Sports

With "The Cheetah Girls: One World" Disney Channel Original Movie coming up Aug. 22, costar Rupak Ginn says he's most stoked about the film's potential to break down cultural barriers. "What's great about it for me personally is that kids in America are going to get a taste of Indian culture," says the Harvard-educated, San Francisco-born Indian American, who plays the Bollywood superstar in "One World."

The Cheetah Girls: One World, Expanding Horizons (Image: Wenn)

"We haven't seen too much of India in the mainstream. After 'The Simpsons,' every character became Apu from the Quickie Mart, so it's nice they're finally giving us a real voice," notes Ginn, 25. "I really applaud the producers and Disney because it was really kind of progressive. Most Indian roles are marginalized, one-dimensional characters, so it was very cool to be offered a part that wasn't."

He adds, "I am so excited to see the response from the kids out there, to see what they do with this … When you introduce kids at such a young level to new things, their minds are open. Maybe there'll be more people interested in going to India. Indian clothing is very beautiful; maybe it will influence fashions for kids. It's great to introduce something like this at that point in their lives because it is a global village we're coming into. And 'Cheetah Girls' embraces that."

AND: Ginn was among the handsome faces at this week's "Cheetah Girls: One World" Hollywood-Meets-Bollywood premiere at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, followed by an Indian-style bash at the famed Roosevelt Hotel down the street. The Cheetah Girls and other Disney Channel stars were on hand as well, and there were lots of comments about the vibrant musical numbers in the movie. "Wizards of Waverly Place" cutie David Henrie let us know he's just recorded a song for his show's new season -- but as for future musical aspirations like doing an album, he laughs. "Oh, no. Nooo. I'm not a Jonas Brother. I just did it for fun. I played guitar on the track, and that's it." Henrie's non-acting goals include directing films of his own.

With reports by Emily Feimster.