International
Construction work of Laemmle Theatres begins
MUMBAI: Construction of Laemmle Theatres, situated near the Metro Red Line station is set to begin this week.
The long-expected movie theatre complex in North Hollywood will have a seven-screen cineplex that will include second-floor office space and a restaurant at ground level. The 34,000-square-foot building at 5240 Lankershim Blvd. is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
The developer of the North Hollywood Redevelopment Program, J.H. Snyder Co., contributed land and parking for the theatre as well as nearly $500,000 in development funding. He also secured city entitlements for the project and provided Laemmle Theatres with a $2.6-million construction loan.
The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency gave Snyder three acres of land in 2008 that included the theatre site.
The theater is the capstone to the third and final phase of the 10-year North Hollywood project intended to improve the blocks around the northern terminus of the subway.
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.
