International
Tyler Perry set to receive CinemCon award
MUMBAI: Tyler Perry will receive the CinemaCon Visionary Award at the next month‘s theatre owners convention in Las Vegas. To be held between 28 to 31 March.
“I am so pleased to be recognized with this award from CinemaCon,” Perry said in a statement. “The success of the industry depends on whether exhibitors can see movies through fans eyes, and anticipate what they want. I‘m honored to be receiving this honor from the exhibitors who have helped me provide a great movie-going experience to my fans from the beginning,” Perry is quoted to have said.
Added Lionsgate Motion Picture Division president Joe Drake, “Tyler is the very definition of a visionary. He has literally created everything he has based on a vision that was uniquely his, and one that he worked tirelessly to bring to life despite all kinds of barriers. We are so proud to be in business with Mr. Perry, who couldn‘t be more deserving of this honor.”
Perry is an African-American actor, director, playwright, screenwriter, producer, author and songwriter. Already a successful artiste in Southern theatre, Perry began to make national celebrity status in 2005 with the release of his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
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.
