International
Andy Hallet dies of heart failure
MUMBAI: Andy Hallett, (33) who came to the limelight as Lorne in The Host in the TV series Angel died of heart failure last night with his father Dave Hallett by his side.
The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after a five-year battle with heart disease.
Hallett had appeared in more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, between 2000 and 2004.
The actor was also a musician and sang two songs (‘Lady Marmalade‘ and ‘It‘s Not Easy Being Green‘) in the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack.
Hallett has spent his post-Angel years working on his music career, playing shows around the country. He had been admitted a couple of times to a hospital in the past few years for his heart condition.
A private funeral service will be held for family and close friends in Cape Cod, most likely over this weekend.
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.
