International
Coach 14 bags foreign sales rights of Castro‘s Daughter
MUMBAI: Coach 14 has bagged the foreign sales rights of Bobby Moresco‘s Castro‘s Daughter, the story of Alina Fernandez, who was the product of a love affair between Fidel Castro and Cuban socialite Naty Revuelta.
Moresco, an Oscar-winning screenwriter (Crash) who co-wrote the screenplay with Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz. WME will also be representing the film for sales and packaging.
Fernandez was a child when Castro would visit her mother‘s home as he planned his first failed attempt to overthrow the government. She was ten years old when she learnt that Castro was her father.
After years of openly expressing her differences with him, Fernandez was branded a dissident and forbidden to leave Cuba. In 1993, she fled the country disguised as a Spanish tourist.
Said Martinez In a statement, “We are very excited to have established a relationship with both Coach 14 and WME and are truly excited at Coach‘s enthusiasm toward the film and feel honored to have Alexis, who has such a high level of positive energy, representing the film.”
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.
