International
Alliance Films buys Maple Pictures for $38 million
MUMBAI: Canadian film distributor Alliance Films has acquired Maple Pictures from Lionsgate Entertainment for $38.5 million.
Confirming the acquisition, Alliance Films chairman and CEO Victor Loewy said, “If you look around, there‘s very few indie companies operating in the U.S. and Lionsgate is the biggest one.”
Loewy added job losses at Maple Pictures should be kept to a minimum after the rival distributor joins the Alliance Films fold.
“There will be a surprisingly high number of people that we‘re keeping,” he said.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer on a Wednesday morning analyst call reiterated the Maple Pictures sale was part of an ongoing strategy by the mini-major to sell off non-core assets.
The possible sale of Maple Pictures, which was launched in 2005 by co-presidents Laurie May and Brad Pelman was first reported in April last.
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.
