Breakaway actor and screenwriter Vinay Virmani visits Humberview

April 17, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Michael Esedafe,
Grade 10 student
Students of Humberview Secondary School experienced an amazing opportunity to watch the Canadian film, Breakaway and meet the lead actor of the movie, Vinay Virmani March 25.
The movie screening was an event sponsored by Reel Canada, a Canada-wide film festival with the purpose of raising Canadian students’ awareness of Canadian films.
The movie Breakaway dug into the subject of Canadian diversity and multiculturalism. The Sikh culture was specifically highlighted in the movie as Rajvinder Singh, played by Virmani, struggles to balance his Sikh family’s cultural expectations with his passion for playing hockey.
After the movie screening, students had a chance to meet Virmani and inquire about his life and inspirations. When asked if any of his own experiences had inspired the script, Virmani admitted there were times as a teen when he felt he was “living a double life, trying to impress two cultures.” Therefore, a core value highlighted in the film, according to the writer, is honesty.
Virmani brought along his friend Raghav, a popular Canadian singer, who will be working with him on his newest project, Dr. Cabbie. The film portrays the adventures of an Indian doctor who, upon immigrating to Canada, finds himself unemployed and forced to drive a taxi to make ends meet. Dr. Cabbie will premier in Canada this September.
After the Q&A session, there was a vast lineup of eager students ready to take pictures, get signatures and meet Virmani personally. The students also received the chance to see the taxi cab from the movie Dr. Cabbie up close, outside their school.
Virmani’s upcoming film is also holding a contest for people who post their photos of Virmani and themselves on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtags #DRCABBIE and #REELCAN. The winners of the contest will receive a trip for two to meet Dr. Cabbie Star Kunal Nayyar in Los Angeles, California or to go to the Toronto Premier of Dr. Cabbie.