International
Disney stops production of The Lone Ranger
MUMBAI: Disney has stopped the production of The Lone Ranger, a classic western that was to star Johnny Depp. The abrupt move to kill a project that was set to begin shooting in the fall is said to have arisen amid clashes with producer Jerry Bruckheimer over the budget for the film.
Disney‘s ambitious film Lone Ranger was to star Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger. The film was to have been directed by Gore Verbinski who had directed the first three editions of Pirates of the Caribbean.
The move also raises questions about whether Depp will agree to reprise his starring role in another Pirates film, which is a priority for the studio.
The stoppage of the film is said to be due to budgetary concerns and not creative differences. The studio is said to have given Verbinski a firm budget number but the director didn‘t agree.
While budget numbers for Ranger are hazy, Disney already has a number of expensive projects in hand including John Carte and Oz The Great and Powerful, now under production.
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.
