International
Aguilera gets Hollywood Walk of Fame award
MUMBAI: Singer-actress Christina Aguilera has been given a Hollywood star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“Oh my goodness! How amazing it is to see all of your fabulous faces. This is a huge staple in my life. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” said the 29-year-old pop diva Aguilera.
Her star, the 2,432nd on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was unveiled nine days before her first film Burlesque is to reach theatres.
Aguilera, who stars opposite Cher, plays a small-town girl raised in foster homes who chases her dreams to a Los Angeles burlesque club.
Aguilera was just a child when she broke into show business nearly 20 years ago as a member of “The New Mickey Mouse Club,” a show that also counted Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake as cast members.
Aguilera won her first Grammy for best new artiste in 1999. Ever since she collected three more including awards for best pop vocal in 2003, for Beautiful and in 2006 for Ain‘t No Other Man.
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.
