International
Paramount to release updated version of Never Say Never
MUMBAI: Paramount‘s Insurge Pictures will release an updated director‘s fan cut of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never for a one-week exclusive run beginning 25 February.
However, the film will play only in 3D screens in the US and Canada replacing the original version. Along with, there will be 40 minutes of new footage.
The updated version runs 115 minutes, instead of the original running time of 105 minutes.
Some of the new footage includes more of Bieber‘s friends and hometown life, as well as new songs and special footage shot of the film‘s premiere at theaters across the country.
The original Never Say Never will continue playing in 2D runs. The cost of a 35mm print makes sending the director‘s cut to those theaters financially unworkable. Digital prints, however, are a fraction of the cost.
Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore said the studio is “trying to take advantage of options from digital technology that didn‘t exist before and give fans even more of what they loved from the first version.”
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.
