SPE Films India has struck a three-picture, first-look deal with Pritish Nandy Communications. Titles have not yet been identified, but Sony is building on its 2007 release of Bollywood pic "Saawariya."
Additionally, Deborah Schindler, prexy of Sony Pictures Intl. Motion Picture Production Group,
said the company has bought worldwide rights to PNC comedy "Meerabai
Not Out," the film debut of Indian cricket star Anil Kumble, who will
play himself.
Animation company DQ Entertainment, listed on
London's Alternative Investment Market, has acquired a 50% stake in the
film, which is skedded for a summer release. It is billed as DQ's first
live-action pic.
"Meerabai," directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni and penned by Soumik Sen, centers on a math teacher who is obsessed with cricket. Pic stars Anupam Kher ("Bend It Like Beckham"), Mahesh Manjrekar, Mandira Bedi and TV star Eijaz Khan.
Schindler
said, "This acquisition is precisely the kind of strong material that
is the cornerstone of our local-language initiative."
Uday Singh,
Sony Pictures India topper added, "Sony has several established
platforms in India -- TV, theatrical distribution, music and
homevideos. We intend to put all these behind the film and make it one
of this summer's biggest attractions."
PNC and DQ Entertainment
recently announced they would pool their skills and creative expertise
on a slate of animation and live-action movies for global audiences.
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