International
Academy to honour Denny Clairmont with John A. Bonner medal
MUMBAI: Denny Clairmont, co-founder of Clairmont Camera, will be honoured with the John A. Bonner medal at next month‘s scientific and technical award ceremony of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The medallion is named in honour of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios and is awarded for “outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards” of the Academy.
Clairmont Cameram, that rents cameras and other gear to filmmakers, has fostered the exchange of ideas between camera users and manufacturers.
Among the 22 other scientific and technical award recipients announced were Mark Noel and John Frazier for developing a winch system that allows cars and other heavy props to be flown on wires and Eric Tabellion and Arnauld Lamorlette for the creation of a computer-generated illumination technique that was first used in Shrek 2.
Clairmont and the other winners will be toasted at the Feb. 12 ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Portions of the show will be incorporated into the 83rd annual Oscar ceremony at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 27.
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.
