International
Major fire in Portsmouth Studio, Wellington
MUMBAI: Portsmouth Miniatures Studio, a studio that also houses an effects business was damaged by a major fire in Wellington on Friday.
The studio that was used by Weta Workshop to film the miniatures scenes in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and King Kong caught fire but no one was hurt in the fire and there were no films currently in production at the studios.
Portsmouth is affiliated with NZ digital effects group, Weta but is not directly owned by Weta. However other reports say that it is owned by Rings and The Hobbit producer and director Peter Jackson.
It is said that the studio was to have been used for filming The Hobbit. The NZ press said the land and building are worth NZ$3.2 million ($2.2 million).
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.
