International
Film on Hamas leader killing on offing
MUMBAI: Film subjects of the happenings in the Middle East never fail to deliver intense ideas for Hollywood blockbuster productions specially films based on terrorism plots or regional wars.
They have all topped international box offices for their exposure to real-life drama in recent years. Like for instance, Green Zone in 2010, an American war thriller which documented life in Baghdad‘s international zone for US troops or for that matter 9/11 in 2002 that detailed the 11 September attacks in New York City by Al Qaeda terrorists.
But this time, a new Hollywood action thriller Shadow Runner, based on the assassination of a leading Hamas leader in Dubai that took place last year, is set to take centre stage.
Reports from the US suggest that the new film by Sony Pictures has been inspired by the murder of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, a Hamas kingpin who was killed by a hit squad while staying at a hotel in Dubai in January last year.
The gang had used fake passports to gain access to the emirate and was caught on closed circuit television. The footage was broadcast internationally as part of an investigation by Dubai police.
Iranian scriptwriter Hossein Amini is developing the plot for the action thriller. The film will star up-and-coming Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who was last seen in the superhero film Thor.
“We think the story is a terrific action thriller for Chris Hemsworth and we know this project is in great hands,” Hannah Minghella, one of the producers behind the project, has been quoted to have said.
Shadow Runner is scheduled for release in 2014.
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.
