International
Golden Globe winner Rourke to play Genghis Khan
MUMBAI: Mickey Rourke, one of the villains in Jon Favreau‘s upcoming Iron Man 2 is set to play Genghis Khan in a new film, which is to be written and directed by John Milius.
Director and screenwriter John Milius who earlier wrote the scripts of 1980s classics Conan the Barbarian and Red Dawn, will present a different view of Genghis Khan by looking at the great military leader from the perspective of his son and grandson. Throughout the movie, there will be many flashbacks to his mid-40s.
The film that will be cinematographed in India and China involves many equestrian scenes for which Rourke has to practice his riding skills.
Genghis Khan was the founder, ruler and emperor of the Mongol Empire. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China, representing the largest continuous empire in Chinese history.
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.
