International
Sarah Palin documentary to release in June
MUMBAI: An independent film on Sarah Palin is all set to release in June, much early before the battle for the 2012 election.
Titled Undefeated, the film is slated to premiere in late June in Iowa and then hit New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada before opening in 50-100 markets nationwide. The film will seek a PG-13 rating, although an unrated edition may contain some anti-Palin language and imagery.
The two-hour, Palin-sanctioned documentary feature directed by conservative filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon will release before the HBO‘s Palin-John McCain biopic.
Bannon, who acquired audio rights to Palin‘s bestseller, Going Rogue, uses passages from the book to narrate the film. The film also uses clips of Rosie O‘Donnell, Matt Damon, Bill Maher, David Letterman, Louis C.K. and Howard Stern, all trashing Palin, in the doc‘s opening moments.
It is said that Bannon came onto the project as after being approached by Palin‘s aide Rebecca Mansour. Originally intended as a series of videos, Bannon opted to craft a feature out of the material with a reported budget of $1 million.
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.
