International
Big investment in Dark Tower worries Universal
MUMBAI: Universal Pictures is in a quandary about the big investment needed to make The Dark Tower, a literary saga by Stephen King, that will have Javier Bardem playing the leading role. Bardem is to play pistol-packing Roland Deschain, who has spent his life in search of the Dark Tower, humanity‘s last chance to save civilization.
Executives of the production house have been putting their heads together over the last few weeks to try and cut down the estimated production costs or not to proceed with the film at all.
The original idea consisted of making the audiovisual version of King‘s seven books in three feature films and two TV mini-series.
The first instalment of The Dark Tower was to go on the floors this summer but as things stand today, the production house‘s rethinking of the project could mean filming might be delayed.
The Dark Tower is Stephen King‘s personal vision of the Far West, where the fantasy of a magical universe blends with his own brand of terror and elements typical of the traditional western. The project has been compared in its magnitude by some of the media to The Lord of the Rings.
Suppose in case, Universal Pictures fails to start production before July next year, the film rights will revert to the author.
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.
