International
Jamie Vanderbilt to script Red Riding
MUMBAI: Jamie Vanderbilt known for his writing in films like the Amazing Spider-Man and Zodiac has been tapped to pen the script for Red Riding, Columbia‘s adaptation of the popular British TV movies.
Produced under the Scott Free banner along with Steve Zaillian and Film Rites shingle, the film would be directed by Ridley Scot.
The Red Riding story adapts four books by David Pearce and tracks the disappearance and grisly murders of several young girls as well as police corruption in a British town.
The stories took place from 1974 to 1983, followed a large cast consisting of a journalist, a solicitors, a reverend, a male prostitute, a businessman, many police officers, and assorted wives and lovers.
With Riding, Vanderbilt, is also set to prove to be one of Columbia‘s go-to scribes. Besides Spider-Man, he wrote Total Recall, the studio‘s remake of the 1990 sci-fi action film that starts shooting this summer.
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.
