International
Shyamalan’s The Airbender tops Razzie awards
MUMBAI: M Night Shyamalan‘s The Last Airbender and comedy Sex and the City 2 were the top two films that earned the wrath of Razzie voters in the annual Oscar spoof that spotlights Hollywood`s worst performances.
Meanwhile stars of Valentine`s Day Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Alba picked up Golden Raspberry Awards for worst actor and actress respectively.
But it was a bad night for the Shyamalan film that won five Razzies to eclipse all other films of last year. The director was named the worst director for his film and to his discredit, the film was proclaimed as the “worst eye-gouging misuse of 3-D.”
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristen Davis, the four principle stars of Sex and the City 2 were collectively named worst actress at the Razzies. The so-called “winners” were determined by ballots from some 657 voters in the United States and 17 foreign countries.
Others who won the Razzies were Jessica Alba, worst supporting actress for The Killer Inside Me, Little Fockers, Machete and Valentine`s Day, Jackson Rathbone, worst supporting actor for The Last Airbender and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, worse screen couple/worst screen ensemble, The entire cast of Sex and the City 2, worst screenplay, The Last Airbender and Sex and the City 2, worst prequel, remake, rip-off or sequel.
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.
