International
Santa Barbara Fest honour for James Franco
MUMBAI: James Franco was recently honoured at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. He picked up an award in the ‘Outstanding Performance of the year‘ category.
It may be noted that Franco is an accomplished director, actor, screenwriter, film producer, author, and painter. Beginning his acting career in the late 1990‘s in a short lived TV series called ‘Freaks and Geeks‘, his career was officially launched in 2001 when he played James Dean in Mark Rydell‘s television film, James Dean that earned him a Golden Globe award.
The actor achieved his international fame by playing Harry Osborn in the Spiderman franchise and went on to do films like The Great Raid (2005), Tristan and Isolde and Annapolis (2006).
His best year was 2008 when he acted with Academy Award winner Sean Penn in Milk and Pineapple Express. All this led to 2010 when he played the role of Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle‘s film 127 Hours.
Franco, nominated for an Academy Award for 127 Hours, is going to co-host the 2011 Oscars this month with Anne Hathaway.
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.
