Hockey, meet Bollywood. Bollywood, meet hockey. You’re about to become good friends now that you have a movie that combines the two of you.
Breakaway, the movie in question, will have its world premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September. And with a cast that includes Anupam Kher, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, along with Rob Lowe, comedian Russell Peters, and hot newcomer Vinay Virmani, it could be a smash hit (or at least better than last year’s opening night film, Score: A Hockey Musical).
We received some images and info from Alliance Films to post about Breakaway. Check it out below, along with the poster and trailer, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
About Breakaway:
Whizbang Films is pleased to announce that its latest feature film, Breakaway, a cross-cultural hockey comedy-drama set in the Indo-Canadian community in suburban Toronto, will have its world premiere at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival. Breakaway is directed by Robert Lieberman and stars Vinay Virmani, Russell Peters, Camilla Belle, Rob Lowe and Anupam Kher.
Rajveer Singh (Vinay Virmani) dreams of a pro hockey career but he’s caught between traditional Indo-Canadian family expectations set by his religiously devout father (Anupam Kher) and his own ambition. In the tradition of the crowd-pleasing British film Bend It Like Beckham, Breakaway is both a fun-filled sports comedy bringing a dash of Bollywood to Canada’s favourite sport and the heartfelt journey of young immigrant man’s quest to find himself in his new country.
Directed by Canadian Robert Lieberman (D3: The Mighty Ducks), Breakaway was filmed in Toronto and in addition to Whizbang Films was co-produced by Alliance Films, Movie Central, CBC, First Take Entertainment, Don Carmody Productions and Telefilm Canada. The film’s co-producer and Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar, award-winning hip-hop and R&B artist Drake, and acclaimed actor and rapper Ludacris also make cameo appearances.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Breakaway will have its world premiere at TIFF,” said Frank Siracusa, partner at Whizbang Films. “We know this film will resonate with festival audiences, with its diverse Canadian, American and South Asian cast, its Toronto backdrop and its irresistible cross-cultural clash within a family and a son’s passion for the game of hockey. ”
TIFF 2011 runs from September 8 – 18. Follow all our coverage of the festival at criticizethis.ca/TIFF2011.
