International
Bigelow and Boal in course to compete casting
MUMBAI: Filmmakers Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal have nearing completion of the cast of their Osama Bin Laden film that will be inspired by the story of Navy SEAL Team Six‘s take-down of the terrorist leader.
Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain, Edgar Ramirez, Mark Strong as well Chris Pratt and Jason Clarke are in talkss to join the film that has been planned for a December 19 release.
It is said that the filmmakers intend to start rolling the film in February that would be distributed by Columbia Pictures.
It may be remembered that Bigelow and Boal had been working for some time on the project in the context of the hunt for Bin Laden when the terrorist‘s killing by a black ops team changed the project. Boal spent the latter part of the year incorporating the developments into the script which caused a delay to the project.
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.
