MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Films India has acquired worldwide distribution rights of Meerabai Not Out, the film co-produced with Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) and Hyderabad based DQ Entertainment (DQE).

The announcement was made by Sony Pictures International Motion Picture Production Group president Deborah Schindler.

PNC and DQE have recently joined hands to co-develop and co-produce six movies in the next 3 to 4 years time, within a budget of $45 million (around Rs 1.8 billion).

"This acquisition is precisely the kind of strong material that is
the cornerstone of our local language initiative. When we find motion pictures as wonderful and engaging as this, we will aggressively pursue it," said Schindler.

The movie, which is slated for a summer release, will mark DQ Entertainment's foray into the Bollywood market.

Directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni from a screenplay by Soumik Senbasedon, and an idea by Raj Kaushal, Meerabai Not Out stars Mandira Bedi as a maths teacher obsessed with cricket.

Cricket star Anil Kumble plays himself in his first starring role.

Television star Eijaz Khan makes his Bollywood debut in the film, which also stars Anupam Kher and Mahesh Manjrekar in leading roles.

Musical score has been provided by Sandesh Shandilya.

"We are delighted to take it globally through SPE Films India and DQ Entertainment, our partners for this charming romantic comedy cast against the backdrop of cricket, our national passion.

"Mandira herself is a die-hard cricket fan and Anil Kumble makes his debut in Bollywood with this film. So does Eijaz Khan, who migrates from TV to the big screen. This is also Chandrakant Kulkarni's first Hindi feature and we are proud to
bring his talent before mainstream audiences," said Nandy.

DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti says: "Meerabai Not Out is a film we are delighted to partner with PNC and feel so good that SPE will take this beautiful romancing with cricket Global.

"We plan to partner for many more such well scripted and researched films as we go along, to explore the creative opportunities that bridge animation and live action."

"Smart films like Meerabai Not Out excites us because we believe that this is where the future of Bollywood lies and PNC dose cater to this need well. This is the kind of intelligent and successful cinema we would like to associate with.

"This shows the kind of credibility that Indian cinema has now acquired globally. DQE will add further value of bring its expertise in animation, gaming and other spin-offs as when the partners will desire so," added Chakravarti.