International
Julian Assange hits out The Fifth Estate accusing it of fanning the flames
MUMBAI: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has hit out on The Fifth Estate, said to be based on WikiLeaks, his secret-spilling website and has termed it to be a “massive propaganda attack”.
Speaking to students at Britain‘s prestigious Oxford University by videolink from the Ecuadoran embassy in London, Assange said that he had acquired a copy of the script for The Fifth Estate, that is due to release in November next.
“It is a lie upon lie. The movie is a massive propaganda attack on WikiLeaks and the character of my staff,” Assange is reported to have said.
Assange also accused the film for “fanning the flames” of war against Iran by implying that the Islamic republic was working on a nuclear bomb. Reading from the script, he said the opening scene was set inside a military complex in Iran with documents containing nuclear symbols.
“How does this have anything to do with us?” Assange questioned.
DreamWorks Studios had on Tuesday announced that it had begun shooting the WikiLeaks film that stars British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as Assange.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
