International
Weinsten Co. in film financing facility with UBC
MUMBAI: Seeking to put itself on a firmer financial footing as it looks for a comeback from the brink of a closure around two years ago, Weinstein Co. has sealed a deal for a new $150-million film financing facility with Union Bank of California (UBC).
The news comes in the wake of expectations that this time Weinstein Co. would take home multiple trophies at Sunday‘s Academy Awards for The Artist which has been a far more modest box office success than The King‘s Speech.
The new deal allows the studio behind films like The King‘s Speech and The Artist to pay off loans from Goldman Sachs and Ziff Brothers Investments that it took from them in 2009 and 2010 when it was struggling in bad waters to stay afloat.
It was The King‘s Speech, that gave a good hope after it grossed $139 million in the US and Canada. While in 2009, the studio had taken a $75-million bridge loan from Ziff Brothers and a $50-million loan from Goldman in 2010.
As part of the deal with Goldman Sachs, the New York-based studio turned over the rights of about 200 titles from its library to the company in order to pay off $400-million in debt. Goldman still controls those pictures, which include “Halloween” and “Vicky Christina Barcelona.”
Weinstein has paid Goldman some of the money required to take back those pictures but has more payments to make.
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.
