International
Sigourmey Weaver lashes out at Academy Awards
MUMBAI: Sigourney Weaver has lashed out at Academy Awards bosses, arguing that James Cameron should have won the Best Director award at this year‘s ceremony instead of his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow.
Bigelow became the first ever female to take the top accolade for her gritty war drama The Hurt Locker, fighting off competition from her former husband‘s fantasy Avatar.
Weaver, who stars in Cameron‘s sci-fi epic, is convinced that the Hurt Locker director only won the award because she was a woman.
The actress is also disappointed that The Hurt Locker beat Avatar in the Best Picture category – insisting that the epic missed out on the trophy because it is “fashionable” for films that “nobody saw” to take the top prizes.
Weaver added, “In the past, Avatar would have won because they (Oscar voters) loved to hand out awards to big productions, like Ben-Hur. Today it‘s fashionable to give the Oscar to a small movie that nobody saw.”
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.
