International
127 Hours, True Grit win Scipters award
MUMBAI: Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin who scripted 127 Hours and Ben Mezrich who wrote True Grit have topped the the 23rd annual USC Libraries Scripter Awards.
The Scripters award that recognizes the author and scribes of a produced literary work-to-film adaptation was held on Friday night.
The Social Network team (Sorkin wrote the script based on Mezrich’s book titled The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal) edged out the writers of 127 Hours, (director-writers Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy as well as author Aron Ralston), The Ghost Writer (filmmaker Roman Polanski and Robert Harris), True Grit (Joel and Ethan Coen and Charles Portis) and Winter’s Bone (director-writers Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini and its author Daniel Woodrell).
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.
