International
Legendary Pictures acquires developing rights of Godzilla
MUMBAI: Legendary Pictures has acquired the rights to develop and produce a new feature based on Godzilla, the iconic Toho Co. character.
Through its deal with Legendary Films, the film will be co-produced, co-financed and distributed by Warner Bros. while Toho will distribute the film in Japan.
The last major Godzilla outing from Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin was set in New York grossed $376 million worldwide in 1998. The following year Toho produced Godzilla 2000 in which the big beast took on an evil UFO.
The new film is aiming for a 2012 release.
Warner Bros. and Legendary have earlier partnered on global properties such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Superman Returns and The Hangover that grossed more than $2 billion worldwide.
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.
