International
Avatar cast to seek inspiration from Amazon forest
MUMBAI: James Cameron is considering bringing in the cast of the Avatar sequels to Brazil‘s Amazonian rain forest in order to get in touch and be inspired by the place and its many indigenous tribes.
“Avatar is a film about the rain forest and its indigenous people. Before I start to shoot the two films I want to bring my actors here, so I can better tell this story”, the Canadian director is reported to have said.
“Actors could learn about the natives and what real life in the jungle is like”, he added.
Cameron is currently attending the second International Forum on Sustainability in Manaus which also features Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Clinton.
On Wednesday Cameron reportedly took Schwarzenegger to the Xingu River, where he had spoken out against the construction of hydroelectric dam in Belo Monte last year. “I introduced him to some of the indigenous leaders whom I met last year,” he said.
Earlier, Cameron was baptized with the name of Krapremp-ti, a term used for a “man who is a friend of the jungle” Later the director has been quoted as telling reporters that he would use that name on a character in the Avatar sequel.
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.
