International
Academy receives 20 animation films viewing for Oscars
MUMBAI: Up to five animated films could be nominated in this season‘s Oscar race after The Academy has announced that it had received twenty submissions for the animation films category for the upcoming Oscar awards of which up to five films could be nominated.
Under the rules of the Academy, a total of five nominations may ensue when there are more than 16 eligible submissions.
The entries are 9, Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Astro Boy, Battle For Terra, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Coraline, Disney‘s A Christmas Carol, The Dolphin – Story Of A Dreamer, Fantastic Mr Fox, Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs, Mary And Max, The Missing Lynx, Monsters Vs Aliens, Planet 51 Ponyo ,The Princess And The Frog, The Secret Of Kells, Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure, A Town Called Panic, Up, Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, The Dolphin – Story Of A Dreamer.
Films submitted in the animated category also may qualify for Oscars in other categories, including best picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on 2 February ahead of the ceremony on 7 March.
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.
