New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) A qualified Indian doctor forced to drive a cab in Canada is the premise of actor Vinay Virmani’s latest release ‘Dr Cabbie’, which he says is a story of an underdog finding his way against all odds.
The 29-year-old Indo-Canadian actor, who also shares credit in the story, says the film is inspired by a chat he had with a taxi driver.
“I got this idea when I took a cab and the driver turned out to be a doctor. It was really a sad story and it does not happen only to Indians. You will find people from different countries going through similar issues. ‘Dr Cabbie’ is about one such underdog who starts healing on his own,” Vinay told PTI in a telephonic interview.
Directed by Jean-Francois Pouliot, the film also stars ‘The Big Bang Theory’ actor Kunal Nayyar, Lillete Dubey, Adrianne Palicki, Mircea Monroe and Katrina Kaif’s siter Isabelle in key roles.
Vinay’s debut film ‘Breakaway’ was co-produced by Akshay Kumar and now Salman Khan has turned producer for the actor’s ‘Dr Cabbie’.
“Salman read the script and he really liked the story about what it means to be a doctor. He also liked the whole comedy in the film. We are very happy that a star of his calibre has put his might behind this film. He is a very generous man,” Vinay said.
The film has done well in Canada and Vinay says he would love to release it in India in different languages.
When asked how Nayyar came to be a part of the story, Vinay said, “Kunal is amazing. He is the number one South-Asian actor in the US with ‘The Big Bang Theory’. He is such a big star on the show. In the film, he plays this fun Punjabi taxi driver. Kunal had fun playing the role and his presence will certainly help the film.”
Vinay says though he was born in Canada he considers himself a part of India and would love to bring the two countries together through cinema.
“India and Canada now have a co-production treaty. I want to make movies that are western but rooted in India. There can be an exchange of talent, ideas and production experience. The two countries share an interesting history together,” he said.
PTI BK