International
Rachel Weisz to star in Wizard of Oz prequel
MUMBAI: Rachel Weisz will star in the upcoming prequel to the 1939 classic Wizard of Oz. She will play the role of an evil witch in Oz: The Great and Powerful, reported Contactmusic.
The 40-year old actress will play Evanora, a powerful witch who intends to rule the land and attempts to get her sister on her side in order to get help.
The Sam Raimi directed film has Weisz star opposite James Franco as the titular wizard whereas Mila Kunis plays her sister Theadora, the good witch. The project is Disney‘s take on a story about a girl from Kansas who is swept away to the magical Land of Oz.
Weisz was last seen in The Lovely Bones. She is currently working on Fernando Meirelles‘ 360 along with the likes of Jude Law, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ben Foster.
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.
