It is already known that cricket and Bollywood are two major passions of Indians.

This time, ace Bollywood director Chandrakant Kulkarni has come out with his latest film ‘Meerabai Not Out’, which tells about the story of a cricket buff who goes to the extremes -- even on her engagement day -- to watch cricket.

But exciting thoughts don't necessarily translate into interesting movies.

Also, though the movie talks about cricket, there is not much meat in its story, and lacks thrill for a cricket fanatic either.

A sports-based idea works only if the watcher becomes involved in the happenings, when he/she becomes a participant.

In ‘Meerabai Not Out’, viewers are just a mere spectator. This one’s more of a love story, actually!

Meera Achrekar (Mandira Bedi), a 30 plus middle class school teacher, has been a happy single for quite a while now. Her passion for cricket crosses all bounds.  

The thing that troubles her family, which comprises of an ever caring parents and a cricket hating brother (Manjrekar), is Meera’s still-single status.

Also what rattles everyone is her extreme devotion to Indian spinner Anil Kumble.
 
The twist comes when a handsome doctor, Arjun (Eijaz Khan) enters Meera’s life and is planning to marry her. What follows next forms the rest of the film.

Meera realizes that there’s more to life than praying for Team India and Anil Kumble. So, while her heart beats for Anil and India's fortunes, the more significant question is: Will Meera be able to commit to her non-striker beau?

‘Meerabai Not Out’ may give an intuition of being a 'cricket film', but it's confusing. In actual fact, a big part of the film is devoted to the love story, which lacks the sparkle.

It’s only towards the pre-climax, when Meera doesn't show up for her own engagement on time, that things start moving. Come to think of it, even that looks implausible, for no person in his/her senses would give priority to watch a cricket match on the day of her engagement.

And if she had to watch cricket, she could've done so on the television. Why travel all the way to the stadium?

In spite of the hiccups, Chandrakant has handled the penultimate series comfortably. The cricket match in the end, between Mahesh Manjrekar and Eijaz Khan, is fascinating. Also, the ending Anupam Kher taking part in a quiz show and Mandira answering the question right -- is also great.

There's not much scope for music in the enterprise. Dialogues are well-worded at places.

Mandira plays her part well. She impresses more towards the finale. Eijaz is sure and if given a chance, can do better. Mahesh Manjrekar doesn't really get scope, except towards the finale. Anupam Kher is proficient. Pratiksha Lonkar is useless. The actress reenacting the character of Manjrekar and Mandira's mother is wonderful. Anil Kumble is okay.

On the whole, ‘Meerabai Not Out’ is a below average attempt. At the box-office, this maiden will be run-out in the initial days itself!