PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO BEGIN ON BREAKAWAY

TORONTO, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - Hari Om Entertainment, First Take Entertainment, Productions Polytechnique RP and Whizbang Films announced today that principal photography on BREAKAWAY will begin on Monday, September 20, 2010.  The film introduces Canadian newcomer Vinay Virmani, who plays the lead role in the film and also stars Russell Peters, Rob Lowe, Anupam Kher and Camilla Belle.

BREAKAWAY is a cross-cultural hockey drama set in the Indo-Canadian community of suburban Toronto, Canada. The film follows a hero caught between a family's traditional expectations and a dream to make it in the national sport of his adopted country.  The movie is a colourful, humorous and heart-felt drama.  The setting is an obstacle-strewn love story with a dramatic quest for the hero.  Crafted by acclaimed director Robert Lieberman, the film will be presented by Akshay Kumar, one of the Indian film industry's most renowned and recognizable stars.  BREAKAWAY is produced by Ajay Virmani (First Take Entertainment), Frank Siracusa and Paul Gross (Whizbang Films), André Rouleau (Caramel Films) and Don Carmody (Don Carmody Productions).  

Akshay Kumar says, "The subject of this film has moved me.  The challenges of a young man's journey in his adoptive land represent the struggles for justice and equality.  I am thrilled to be a part of this truly international film allowing the glass ceiling to be broken and truly defining world cinema." 

"I am thrilled and excited to be working on BREAKAWAY, a wonderful, romantic, sports comedy. It tells the story of a group of young Indo-Canadians who although spurned by the largely Anglo hockey community, have the dream of being a competitive team in the big tournament. The film gives us a rare peek into the culture and lifestyle of the Sikh community while providing plenty of action and laughs. At the center is also a cross-cultural love affair. BREAKAWAY is compelling, fast, with plenty of hockey as well being inspirational. With such big stars as Akshay Kumar (biggest star in Bollywood), Russell Peters, and Camilla Belle.  BREAKAWAY is bound to appeal to a very wide audience. This is one helluva piece of entertainment and I am elated that I get to helm it," says director Robert Lieberman.

"I grew up in Brampton, where BREAKAWAY is set and I know the characters in this movie first-hand.  This is a great story about an Indian kid with a dream to do his own thing….something I know a thing or two about," says Russell Peters.  Russell, along with his brother Clayton Peters will also serve as Executive Producers of the film.

"I am excited to be part of this project, with an extremely talented cast and crew.  The subject of the film will breach cultural boundaries as it tells the story of a young man's struggle to deal with ethnic conformity and social acceptance in his new adoptive land.  The film will reach the hearts and emotions of a global audience," says Vinay Virmani. 

"It's a privilege to be a part of a film that celebrates the Sikh culture and tells a beautiful story of equality and perseverance. Coming from a multicultural background, this script truly touched me and I believe it will move people around the world, regardless of their background." commented Camilla Belle.

"BREAKAWAY is truly an international film.  I am looking forward to being a part of it," says Anupam Kher.

Mr. Gurpreet Ghuggi, one of the most acclaimed Punjabi actor/comedians in India, Ms. Sakina Jaffrey, who has demonstrated her exemplary acting skills in several cross-cultural films as well as on the stage and Ms. Noureen DeWulf, a remarkable, upcoming young actress.    

The project has been made possible by funding from Telefilm Canada and is being produced in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  It will be distributed in Canada by Alliance Films. 

BREAKAWAY is a fun, action-filled, emotional sports comedy bringing a dash of Bollywood entertainment to Canada's favourite sport. BREAKAWAY begins principle photography on Monday, September 20, 2010 and is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2011 by Alliance Films in Canada and Hari Om Entertainment in India.  

About Hari Om Entertainment:
Akshay Kumar helms Hari Om Production, one of India's premier production houses.  Hari Om continues to work with internationally acclaimed production houses. 

About First Take Entertainment:
First Take focuses on the development of cross-cultural projects.  First Take Entertainment remains committed to producing diverse and unique films.  Ajay Virmani heads First Take Entertainment. 

About Whizbang Films:
Led by Actor/Writer Paul Gross and Producer Frank Siracusa, Whizbang has entertained Canadian and International audiences alike with high quality, award winning dramatic TV series, Mini-series and Feature Films. In 2009 their film Passchendaele won six Genie Awards including the Golden Reel for highest Canadian Box Office. 

About Caramel Films:
Productions Caramel Film is a Montreal based company specialized in the development and production of feature length films for the Canadian and international marketplace, such as the award winning 2009 feature Polytechnique.  The creator of Caramel Films is André Rouleau. 

About Don Carmody Productions:
Don Carmody has been producing films for almost 40 years.  Beginning in the 1970's with David Cronenberg's Shivers, Rabid, and The Brood.  Other notable films include Meatballs, directed by Ivan Reitman, Porky's, the highest grossing Canadian film in history, Oscar winners Good Will Hunting and Chicago and most recently, Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D. In addition to his many awards, he just won his first Genie for producing Polytechnique, one of nine Genies the film earned. 

For further information:

Cynthia Amsden
Unit Publicist
[email protected]
416 910 7740 

Pauline Dhillon
First Take Entertainment Ltd.
905 301 1281