International
Atkinson mulls retiring as Mr Bean
MUMBAI: Rowan Atkinson, who reprised the role of Mr Bean, is mulling with the idea to hang up his boots as he feels that he is too old to play the funnyman anymore. The 56-year-old actor last played the character in the Holiday.
Mr Bean first appeared on television in an ITV series that ran for five years from 1990. Despite the derision of some critics, the programme proved a huge ratings success with viewers amounting to more than 18 million, it is reported. The character even made its foray into movies with Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie in 1997 and Mr Bean‘s Holiday in 2007.
Said Atkinson, “I‘ve got a feeling I probably won‘t play the character again. Never say never, but I just feel I‘m getting too old for it. I‘ve always liked Mr Bean as a cartoon-like figure, who doesn‘t really age much. I‘ve always seen him as an ageless and timeless being and I‘m clearly not ageless and timeless. The older I get, I feel I am less qualified to play him.”
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.
