Canada-India film ‘Dr. CABBIE’ rolls into Toronto

TORONTO – Cameras are rolling in Toronto on a new feature film co-produced by one of India’s biggest stars, Salman Khan.

The 47-year-old Bollywood actor’s company, Salman Khan Being Human Productions, is behind Dr. CABBIE, a comedy about an unemployed doctor who turns his taxi into a medical clinic.

Khan said Dr. CABBIE “has an inherent universal appeal.”

Vinay Virmani, who was born and raised in Toronto, plays the lead role. He starred in the 2011 hockey-themed comedy Breakaway – also shot in the city – which had Indian film star Akshay Kumar as an executive producer.

Dr. CABBIE, directed by Quebec’s Jean-Francois Poulliot, also stars Adrianne Palicki (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) and The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar.

Toronto-born actor Chris Diamantopoulos  (The Office, The Three Stooges) is also part of the cast.

“Dr. CABBIE is a timeless story that audiences will identify with, blending social issues and the journey to find one’s place in the world,” said Poulliot, in a release. “We are thrilled to have such a talented cast who will tell this humorous and heart warming story.”

Due for release in the fall, it already has Canadian and Indian distribution deals in place.

Filming is expected to take place in Toronto until mid-May.

Dr. CABBIE is the latest collaboration between Canada and India. In 2011, Toronto played host to the International Indian Film Academy Awards and, earlier this month, Vancouver hosted the inaugural Times of India Film Awards.