International
Julia Roberts to receive San Sebastian honour
MUMBAI: Julia Roberts will receive an award for her movie career at next month‘s film festival in San Sebastian. She will also attend the festival to promote her latest film Eat Pray Love that co-stars Spanish actor Javier Bardem.
Eat Pray Love, based on a novel of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert, is the story of a recent divorcee played by Roberts who travels to Italy, India and Bali that helps her rediscover her inner peace through each place.
The 42-year-old Roberts came to fame for her role in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman and spent a decade becoming one of Hollywood‘s favourite box-office draws and highest paid actresses. She won an Oscar for best actress in 2001 for Erin Brockovich.
In recent years she has taken some time off from acting to get married and gave birth to three children.
She will receive the award for her film career on September 20. The San Sebastian International Film Festival runs from September 17 to 25.
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.
