International
Lionsgate slams latest Icahn tender offer
MUMBAI: The board of Lions Gate Entertainment has straightaway rejected the latest tender offer from Carl Icahn to acquire all of its outstanding stock for $6.50 per share saying that the offer does not reflect the full value of the movie and television studio.
It also said that the timing was ‘opportunistic‘ because it comes at a time when a tough economic climate for media companies prevails. It also noted that the offer price was below Icahn‘s previous tender offer of $7 per share.
It may be noted that shares of Lionsgate closed Monday at $6.72 per share up 12 cents.
Last week, in a hope of unwinding a recent transaction in which the company issued stock to board member Mark Rachesky in a debt-for-equity deal, Icahn filed a suit against Lionsgate in the Supreme Courts of New York and British Columbia.
The action increased Rachesky‘s stake to just below 29 per cent from 20 per cent and diluted Icahn‘s holdings to 33.5 per cent from 38 per cent making it more difficult for him to take control of the company.
Last Wednesday, the British Columbia Securities Commission denied Icahn‘s request for a 15-day cease trading order that would have prohibited Rachesky from selling any of the stocks he acquired in the transaction or from buying more shares. The order would have also prevented Lionsgate from issuing any new stock.
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.
