International
Eastman to house Merchant Ivory archive
MUMBAI: Merchant Ivory Prods. is donating its archives – which encompasses – to the
The George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film in Rochester, New York will house 2,600 items including more than 40 films of Merchant Ivory Productions including titles like A Room With a View and Howard‘s End.
At the opening of the 360|365 George Eastman House Film Festival on 5 May, director James Ivory will be honored with the title of George Eastman Honorary Scholar. The festival will also present Ivory’s latest film, The City of Your Final Destination that stars Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney.
It may be recalled that Ismail Merchant, who died in 2005, had met representatives of Eastman House personally to plan the gift that includes original negatives, interpositives and 35mm archive prints made from the original negatives of some of Merchant Ivory’s films.
According to Ivory, it was Merchant’s dream to back this original material up with his own collection of his relevant contracts, correspondence, and other business papers that give an idea of how their production company operated successfully for more than four decades in four continents.
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.
