Speedy Singhs at Toronto International Film Festival (From Asian Image)

Speedy Singhs at Toronto International Film Festival

4:58pm Friday 23rd September 2011 in Bollywood By Asian Image reporter

Speedy Singhs is a film that unites drama, action, sport and comedy on the big screen, injecting a hearty measure of Bollywood magic into Canada’s favourite sport – hockey.

The film is co-produced by Akshay Kumar. He said, “The whole idea is to take Bollywood more and more global. This is just one step towards that. I want to take it further. I want to produce more and more films like Speedy Singhs".

Anupam Kher plays a strict father in the film who is against his son playing the sport and is similar to this role in Bend it Like Beckham.

He admits the similarity commenting, “It’s different, but yes in terms of look and being the father of a sportsperson, there is a similarity. But the canvas is bigger. In Bend it Like Beckham it was one girl who wanted to play football, Speedy Singhs talks about the entire community2.

The lead actor in the film Vinay Virmani, who is fast becoming a craze all over the world commented: “From a hockey standpoint, it breaks down racial barriers within the game.” Grammy hip hop artist Ludacris flew to Toronto and surprised ‘his main man’ Akshay Kumar at his private birthday party on the 9th September which took place in Toronto. The party was also attended by Canadian Prime Minister the Honourable Stephen Harper and the First Lady of Canada Laureen Harper. Ludacris jammed up a storm as he performed Shera Di Kaum with Akshay Kumar.

In India, Sikh cricketer Harbhajan Singh supported Speedy Singhs and even matched steps to the already superhit track Shera Di Kaum with the lead actor Vinay Virmani.

Harbhajan decided to promote Speedy Singhs since its core theme revolves around a sport (ice hockey). Also, the cricketer relates to the film’s strong Punjabi connection, especially with the all-Sikhs team’s determination to master ice hockey.