International
Spain govt. introduces anti-download law
MUMBAI: Marking a new strategy in combating rampant piracy plaguing the sector, Spain‘s newly installed center-right government has passed the anti-download law.
The law has been designed to “protect the owners, creators and other rights holders rights against the profitable sacking of their assets on illegal downloading websites,” government spokesperson Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said.
Santamaria said a commission of intellectual property would decide whether to shutter a website violating the law.
“I think it is a quite a gesture that it has passed so quickly. And very positive,” Spanish Film Academy President and veteran distributor of Alta Films Enrique Gonzalez Macho has reportedly said. “If it wasn‘t approved until now it‘s because it was because they didn‘t want to,” he added.
It‘s noteworthy that the center-right Popular Party (PP) resolved the problem of the infamous Sinde Law, named for the Socialist Culture Minister who left office last week and staked her reputation on the anti-piracy measures, but met with energetic resistance from Internet consumer groups.
The government also eliminated a controversial measure called the digital canon, that taxed all electronics, CDs, DVDs, MP3, MP4, etc to cover the costs of anticipated private copy and pay for authors‘ rights.
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.
