International
Michael Douglas achieves AFI Life Achievement Award
MUMBAI: A galaxy of stars including Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Martin Sheen, Oliver Stone, Benicio Del Toro and Kathleen Turner were among those present when Michael Douglas was honoured with the 37th AFI Life Achievement Award tribute held at Sony Pictures Studios last evening.
After introductions by Sony President and CEO Sir Howard Stringer and AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale, the show opened with a surprise ‘made-for-the movies‘ moment as a stunt double fell through a fake ceiling (re-enacting Douglas‘s climactic dinner entrance in his film, The Game).
The highlights of the show included a moving appearances by the honoree‘s father, film legend and 1991 AFI honoree Kirk Douglas and Steve Swankay, an ex-child soldier from Sierra Leone whose education Douglas had sponsored.
The show also included a show-stopping performance of ‘One‘ from the musical A Chorus Line (the film version in which starred Douglas), featuring Douglas‘s wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones and a surprise musical performance by Bob Dylan. Several of Douglas‘s notable co-stars and friends also paid tribute.
The ‘94 AFI Life Achievement Award recipient and star of the Douglas produced classic One Flew Over The Cuckoo‘s Nest ,Jack Nicholson presented the award to Douglas saying, “I‘ve had so many of my high moments and so many of my fine moments with you.”
Among those whom Douglas thanked were both of his parents for his acting DNA‘, noting that both continue to act. Douglas also paid tribute to former co-star and mentor, Karl Malden. Following up on Malden‘s taped thoughts that he considered Douglas an adopted son, he said, “I‘ll be his adopted son anytime.”
The star-studded black tie gala will air on 19 July at 9pm ET/PT on TV Land Prime, TV Land‘s prime time programming block.
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.
