International
Googie Withers expires at 94
MUMBAI: British actress Googie Withers, best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock‘s The Lady Vanishes has expired. She was 94.
Born Georgette Lizette, Withers in the then British India, she was given her lifetime nickname by her Indian nanny. Her family moved back to Britain where she began acting at the age of 12.
While she was a dancer in a West End Production in London, she was offered work in 1935 as a film extra in The Girl in the Crowd. Soon after starting work, director Michael Powell fired one of the female leads leading to her stepping into the role.
Withers appeared in dozens of films in the 1930s and 40s, but was probably best known for her role as Blanche in The Lady Vanishes in which she acted opposite Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave.
In 1958, Withers moved to Australia with her husband, Australian actor John McCallum.The couple co-starred in ten popular films together, and lived in Sydney until McCallum died last year when he was 91.
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.
