International
US Court prevents release of I Love You Phillip Morris
MUMBAI: A preliminary injunction preventing the US release of I Love You Phillip Morris starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor has been issued by a California District Court.
The film, about a married man who gets into a car crash, discovers he‘s gay and goes on a crime spree that eventually lands him in jail, has been produced by French movie studio EuropaCorp.
After the film premiered in 2009 at Sundance Film Festival, Consolidated lapped up its US rights. Initially planned to release in February, the film got delayed and was to finally release in July.
However, EuropaCorp never got the full $3 million advance that Consolidated agreed to pay last year. An agreement between Europa Corp and Consolidated was amended in February to allow Consolidated pay in three instalments, but according to EuropaCorp, it still didn‘t receive any money.
In April, EuropaCorp rescinded its distribution agreement and filed a lawsuit against Consolidated alleging breach of contract and copyright infringement. The studio demanded the return of the film and marketing materials.
In response, Consolidated stated that EuropaCorp hadn‘t delivered the film on time, had breached its agreement by entering into distribution agreements with Virgin Atlantic and other airlines and said that its failure to pay up wasn‘t a sufficient material breach.
Consolidated requested a stay so that it could hash out the dispute in an arbitration proceeding at the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA). In her decision, California District Court Judge Dale Fischer said that EuropaCorp was likely to succeed on the merits of its claims observing that the defendant‘s arguments were weak.
As a result, the judge granted EuropaCorp‘s request for an injunction provided it manages to put up a $500,000 bond pending the ultimate outcome of the case. The dispute will now head to the IFTA arbitration, hopefully within the next two months.
Regardless of the outcome, the film won‘t be in theatres next month as planned.
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.
