Breakaway 2011
Directed by
Rob Lieberman
Made by
First Take Entertainment
Breakaway Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Breakaway (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Rajveer Singh Vinay Virmani is a college dropout who spends his spare time playing hockey with his friends. He and his father, Darvesh Singh Anupam Kher, work at Darvesh’s younger brother’s trucking company, where Darvesh encourages Rajveer to take on more responsibility in order to one day take over the company. Rajveer is Sikh, but cut his hair after being bullied as a child (which he personally regrets). This and his lack of commitment to the trucking company is a point of contention between him and his father.
During a pick up game, Rajveer tries out for the Hammerheads (a league team) but despite being the best player on the ice, the coach gives him the cold shoulder. Feeling slighted, Rajveer decides to create a league team with his friends.
Darvesh disapproves of the idea and forbids Rajveer from playing any more hockey, but Rajveer continues to play with his friends secretly, saying he’s working more routes at the trucking company. He and his team eventually name themselves the Speedy Singhs and capture the attention of the hockey rink owner, Dan Winters Rob Lowe who agrees to coach them. They need a sponsor and recruit Rajveer’s Uncle Sammy [Gurpreet Ghuggi] to keep Rajveer’s hockey playing a secret. While playing, Rajveer also starts dating Melissa Winters [Camilla Belle].
Darvesh later figures out that Rajveer has been playing hockey and when a night out celebrating with the team ends poorly, Darvesh kicks Rajveer out of the house after an argument. Frustrated, Rajveer also ends up arguing with Dan, and quits the team. Though the Speedy Singhs make it to the finals against the Hammerheads without Rajveer, Melissa reveals that the Speedy Singhs must wear helmets, which they cannot do unless they remove their turbans. Inspired by the story of why Sikh men wear turbans, Rajveer obtains special helmets that will accommodate the team’s turbans and pays for the legal fees to allow them. He apologizes to Dan and the Speedy Singhs for his selfishness and they accept him back.
The day of the finals coincides with Rajveer’s cousin Reena Singh [Noureen DeWulf] and her fiancé, Sonu Singh [Russell Peters] wedding. When Sonu thanks all the guests, he brings up how the Speedy Singhs have become a source of pride for the community and encourages everyone to attend the finals. Rajveer tries once again to express his passion for hockey to Darvesh, but he refuses to attend. The Speedy Singhs do well until the Hammerheads tie at the end of the third period, forcing overtime. Darvesh, after listening to the close game on the radio at the temple, arrives at the arena to show his support. Spurred by his father’s arrival, Rajveer scores the winning goal and hugs Darvesh in the rink.
Breakaway Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Breakaway (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Rajveer's double life: hockey dream vs trucking duty
Rajveer Singh spends his spare time playing hockey with his friends while working at his uncle's trucking company. Darvesh, his father, pushes him to take on more responsibility so he can someday take over the business. This expectation clashes with Rajveer's love of hockey and the personal guilt he carries about his hair and his commitment to the family business.
A snub at the Hammerheads leads to a new team
During a pick up game, Rajveer is the best player on the ice but the Hammerheads coach ignores him. Feeling overlooked, he decides to form his own league team with his friends. Their effort catches the eye of the rink owner and sets the plan in motion.
Forbidden dream and secret practice
Darvesh forbids Rajveer from playing hockey, but Rajveer keeps practicing in secret, telling people he is working more routes at the trucking company. He and his friends push forward, building the team that becomes the Speedy Singhs. The tension between duty and passion grows stronger.
The Speedy Singhs find a coach and sponsorship
The Speedy Singhs attract Dan Winters as coach after the rink owner takes an interest in them. They recruit Rajveer's uncle Sammy as sponsor to keep Rajveer's hockey a secret from his father. The team begins to come together under new guidance.
New romance on the rink
Rajveer begins dating Dan's younger sister, Melissa, adding a layer of personal stake to the team. Their relationship flourishes amid the chaos of forming a new squad and balancing family expectations. The romance helps him see a broader support network around hockey.
Discovery, punishment, and a break from the team
Darvesh discovers Rajveer has been playing hockey in secret. After a night out with the team ends badly, Darvesh kicks Rajveer out of the house. He then argues with Dan and quits the Speedy Singhs, throwing the team into turmoil.
Finals without Rajveer and the turban helmet dilemma
Without Rajveer, the Speedy Singhs advance to the finals against the Hammerheads. Melissa reveals that the team must wear helmets, which would require removing their turbans. This revelation raises the central issue of identity and inclusion as the finals approach.
A solution emerges: special helmets and a return
Rajveer arranges for helmets that accommodate turbans and covers the legal fees to allow them. He apologizes to Dan and the team for his earlier selfishness, and they welcome him back. The squad prepares to reunite for the big game.
Wedding day sidelines the finals
The day of the finals coincides with the wedding of Rajveer's cousin Reena and Sonu. Sonu thanks the guests and encourages everyone to attend the finals, tying the team's pride to the community's celebration. The wedding adds personal pressure and public support for the team.
Rajveer reaches out to his father
Rajveer tries to express his passion for hockey to Darvesh, hoping for his blessing. Darvesh refuses to attend the finals, maintaining his stance. This moment underscores the emotional distance that Rajveer must overcome to reconcile with his father.
Finals intensity builds: tie and overtime
The Speedy Singhs and Hammerheads trade goals, tying the game at the end of the third period. The arena roars as the teams prepare for overtime, each side determined to claim the championship. The tension is palpable as players push through fatigue.
Darvesh arrives to cheer from the stands
Darvesh listens to the close game on the temple radio and rushes to the arena to show his support. He arrives in time to be visible to Rajveer and the team, shifting the emotional dynamic. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.
The winning goal and father-son reconciliation
Spurred by his father's unexpected arrival, Rajveer scores the winning goal and embraces Darvesh on the rink. The moment seals Rajveer's redemption and cements his love for hockey in front of the crowd. The team celebrates as the father and son finally connect through the game.
Breakaway Characters
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Rajveer Singh (Vinay Virmani)
Rajveer is a college dropout who spends his time playing hockey with his friends and helping out at his family’s trucking company. He cut his hair after childhood bullying, a decision he regrets and tries to keep hidden while pursuing hockey. His leadership of the Speedy Singhs shows his determination to follow his passion while proving himself to his father and community.
Darvesh Singh (Anupam Kher)
Darvesh is Rajveer’s father and the owner of the family trucking business. He wants his son to take responsibility and help run the company, and he disapproves of Rajveer’s hockey obsession. Their conflict centers on tradition versus personal aspiration, culminating in a tempered reconciliation at the end.
Melissa Winters (Camilla Belle)
Melissa is Dan Winters’ younger sister and Rajveer’s love interest. She becomes a bridge between Rajveer and Dan, supporting his dream while navigating family dynamics. Her involvement helps shape the team’s morale and relationships.
Dan Winters (Rob Lowe)
Dan is the owner of the rink and acts as the coach who initially doubts the Speedy Singhs but ultimately becomes their mentor. He provides coaching, sponsorship guidance, and a practical perspective that helps the team grow.
Reena Singh (Noureen DeWulf)
Reena is Rajveer’s cousin, engaged to Sonu. Her wedding backdrop brings the community together and serves as a motivator for the team, highlighting the communal pride surrounding their success.
Sonu Singh (Russell Peters)
Sonu is Reena’s fiancé. He adds a communal and celebratory energy to the narrative, praising the Speedy Singhs and underscoring the pride their success brings to the community.
Uncle Sammy (Gurpreet Ghuggi)
Uncle Sammy is Rajveer’s uncle, who helps secure a sponsor and keeps Rajveer’s hockey playing a secret. He provides practical support and a familial network essential to the team’s resilience.
Breakaway Settings
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Location
Temple, Hockey rink, Trucking company
The story moves between a Sikh temple and the local hockey rink, with a trucking company grounding the family business. The temple scene underscores cultural identity and community support, while the rink is where Rajveer battles prejudice and pursues his dream. Together, these spaces anchor the film's themes of pride, perseverance, and belonging.
Breakaway Themes
Discover the main themes in Breakaway (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Identity
Rajveer's Sikh identity, including his turban and hair, is a core part of who he is and how others perceive him. The story treats heritage as a source of strength that motivates him to push beyond obstacles. His journey shows that personal pride and cultural roots can unite teammates and communities rather than divide them.
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Teamwork
The Speedy Singhs learn to work as a cohesive unit despite varying skill levels. Rajveer, Dan, and Uncle Sammy build trust through shared goals and persistence. The team's growth hinges on mutual support, leadership, and keeping the dream alive against setbacks.
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Inclusion
The film tackles inclusion – from helmet designs that respect turbans to legal support that allows hindrance-free participation. It highlights how communities can adapt traditions to welcome talent from diverse backgrounds. The climactic final emphasizes that fair treatment opens doors for everyone.
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Family
Family drives the drama: a father who wants his son to assume responsibility, and a son who must reconcile love for hockey with filial duty. The ultimate victory is as much a reconciliation with Darvesh as it is a win on the ice. The ending reinforces that family support can empower personal dreams.
Breakaway Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Breakaway (2011). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the bustling streets of Toronto, the roar of the rink reverberates alongside the city’s multicultural rhythm, offering a backdrop where personal dreams collide with expectations rooted in family and heritage. The world of amateur hockey is both a proving ground and a mirror, reflecting the pressures of assimilation and the fierce loyalty that binds communities together.
Rajveer Singh carries the weight of a dual identity: a devoted Sikh who fell in love with hockey at twelve, and a son whose father expects him to uphold the family business and cultural values. After cutting his hair and setting aside his turban—a decision born from childhood bullying—he quits school to chase a professional career, sparking a deep conflict with his father, Darvesh Singh, whose vision for Rajveer’s future is firmly anchored in tradition and responsibility.
Drawn to the confidence of law student Melissa Winters, Rajveer finds an unlikely ally in her brother Dan Winters, a seasoned coach who recognizes the raw talent simmering beneath the surface. With the quiet support of his Uncle Sammy, who helps keep the fledgling ambition under wraps, Rajveer gathers a group of like‑minded Sikh friends, each yearning for a place on the ice that respects both their sport and their heritage. Their collective resolve hints at the formation of a new team, an effort to claim a space traditionally denied to them.
The film balances gritty determination with a warm, comedic undercurrent, capturing the tension between cultural pride and the relentless pursuit of a dream. As the characters navigate subtle prejudice, familial duty, and the search for belonging, the story invites viewers to wonder how far a community will go to carve out its own identity on a rink where the stakes feel as high as the soaring goals they chase.
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