Hindi
SPE bags global rights for PNC-DQE’s ‘Meerabai Not Out’
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.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
