International
Documentary on Kim Dotcom in offing
MUMBAI: Kim Dotcom, the founder of shuttered file-sharing service Megaupload will be the subject of a documentary and biography, it is understood.
The documentary would not only explore the Megaupload case but also examine issues of content ownership and the battle for control of the Internet.
The film titled Mega Conspiracy is being produced by actor-producer Donovan Leitch and Alex Mardikian, a friend and business associate of Dotcom. Marc Levin, who had earlier directed Prayer for a Perfect Season will helm the project.
Dotcom has been accused by the US government of facilitating and participating in large-scale copyright infringement through his Megaupload cyber locker service causing more than $500 million in losses to copyright holders — including all six major Hollywood studios and the big record labels.
The service was shut down in January when authorities in New Zealand raided Dotcom‘s $24 million office there.
It is understood that Mardikian and Leitch have shot roughly 60 hours of interviews for the documentary. In addition to talking with Dotcom, the filmmakers also met the employees of Megaupload who also were named in the 6 January indictment.
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.
