International
Spielberg prefers ‘old-fashioned craft’
MUMBAI: Not one to go by the technological advances that make the process of filmmaking an easier task, Steven Spielberg prefers the ‘old-fashioned craft‘ with which he grew up.
The 64-year-old began making movies as a child and believes many people can now make films by even using a mobile phone to shoot something. “All kids have to do these days is take their cell phone, flip it open and make a movie, but I like the way it started,” he averred.
Reminiscing the times he took to filmmaking, the noted director said, “It wasn‘t a point-and-click art form, it was a craft. It involved solvents, photo-chemistry, cutting out poster board with industrial scissors and getting your fingers fused with Elmer‘s glue.” It was all homemade stuff. If I was a chef, a microwave would be my worst enemy. I would want to do it the old-fashioned way.” he added.
His love of cinema started when his father used to take a camera on holiday and used to capture their trips.
“My dad used to film our camping trips. He‘d put the camera outside the window as we were driving along, and all you‘d see was a blurring, brown motion of the Arizona desert streaking past. It got to the point where I begged him to be the videographer,” said Spielberg.
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.
