International
Hollywood seeks release of Jafar Panahi
MUMBAI: A number of Hollywood celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro and Francis Ford Coppola, in a signed petition, have demanded the release of jailed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.
“We … stand in solidarity with a fellow filmmaker, condemn this detention, and strongly urge the Iranian government to release Mr. Panahi immediately,” read the petition.
The petition also signed by Michael Moore, Robert Redford, Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese wants Iran‘s filmmakers be “celebrated and not censored.”
Panahi was taken away by security forces on 1 March after they raided his home during a dinner party.
The director is known for his socially critical films such as Crimson Gold and The Circle, that annexed the Golden Lion in at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. Panahi also won the Silver Bear and a grand jury prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2006 for Offside, which concerned a group of female soccer fans who sneak in to see a men‘s match.
Several countries, including Canada, have called for his release.
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.
