International
Weinsteins’ Shanghai to release mid-June in China
MUMBAI: Weinstein brothers‘ first Asian production has secured a Chinese release date. Shanghai starring John Cusack, Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe will hit Chinese theaters in mid-June, nearly two years after its shooting wrapped up in 2008.
The Mikael Hafstrom film, about an American intelligence official who investigates a friend‘s death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, has been repeatedly bogged down by delays.
The film that was not allowed to be shot in China, without any valid reasons from Chinese authorities, had to make do with sets in London and Bangkok.
Editing took longer than usual because Hafstrom had to combine visually different footage from London and Bangkok and had to go through several composers.
Shanghai, however was cleared by the Chinese censors without any cuts.
Release dates for the US and other countries weren‘t immediately revealed.
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.
