International
James Bond resurrector Sortito expires
MUMBAI: Revolutionary branding executive Karen Sortito, who helped resurrect the James Bond franchise expired of cancer on Monday in New York. She was 49.
Having come from MTV, Sortito represented a new breed of marketer for the film business. She came from MTV, where, straight out of Southern Connecticut State College in 1983, she helped define the brand during the network‘s formative years.
She also worked at 20th Century Fox Film Corp., Paramount, Morgan Creek Prods., Revolution Studios, Spyglass Entertainment and NYC & Company, the city‘s official marketing and partnership agency.
As head of worldwide promotions for MGM/UA, Sortito helped negotiate high-end promotional deals with the likes of BMW for millions of dollars, which contributed to the cost of making and advertising GoldenEye (1995), the first Bond film in six years.
While MGM/UA were in a reshuffling of management mode, Sortito spent three years consulting in various capacities and in 2002 joined Spyglass as executive vp worldwide marketing under Gary Barber, her former boss at Morgan Creek, and his partner, Roger Birnbaum.
Sortito is survived by her mother, Phyllis Sortito; her sisters, Mary Sortito and Diane Ritucci; her brother-in-law Louis Ritucci and two nephews.
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.
