International
Filmmaker Greenspan bids adieu
MUMBAI: Filmmaker Bud Greenspan, whose inspirational portraits of Olympic athletes became a trademark of the Games, died at his home in New York on Saturday from complications of Parkinson‘s disease. He was 84.
Over the years, Greenspan never lost focus on the most inspirational stories of athletes, even as controversies over politics, performance-enhancing drugs and commercialism increasingly vied for attention.
His best-known work was The Olympiad, the culmination of 10 years of research, more than 3 million feet of rare, archival film, hundreds of interviews and visits to more than 30 nations. The 10-part series he produced was aired in more than 80 countries.
In an interview with ESPN.com a decade ago, Greenspan admitted he took a different approach than most of his colleagues.
“I spend my time on about the 99 per cent of what‘s good about the Olympics and most people spend 100 per cent of their time on the one per cent that‘s negative,” he said. “I‘ve been criticized for seeing things through rose-colored glasses, but the percentages are with me.”
Greenspan received lifetime achievement awards from the DGA and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as well as a Peabody and the Olympic Order award.
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.
