International
Cohen sued over new Bruno movie
MUMBAI: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by a woman in the US, who claims an incident that occurred while filming new movie Bruno left her ‘disabled‘. The woman Richelle Olson claims she was severely injured during filming following a struggle with Baron Cohen and his film crew at a charity bingo tournament.
The legal action, filed in California, alleges that Olson, 37, now needs a wheelchair or cane to move around. She is seeking unspecified damages of more than $25,000 (?15,275).
The legal action accuses Baron Cohen and NBC Universal, the studio behind the forthcoming film, of assault, battery and fraudulent misrepresentation, among other charges.
The incident took place in Palmdale, California, after Baron Cohen – in the guise of Austrian fashion pundit Bruno – was invited to take part in a bingo tournament raising money for nursing students.
According to legal documents, Ms Olson tried to remove the microphone from Baron Cohen after he began using obscene language while calling a bingo game.
She claims the actor pushed her over and she was surrounded by cameramen, who attacked her, all the while continuing to film.
Ms Olson alleges she ran from the stage and later fainted in a side room, hitting her head and suffering bleeding in her brain.
Representatives for Cohen and NBC Universal have declined to comment on the allegations.
According to legal documents, Ms Olson tried to remove the microphone from Baron Cohen after he began using obscene language while calling a bingo game.
She claims the actor pushed her over and she was surrounded by cameramen, who attacked her, all the while continuing to film.
Ms Olsen alleges she ran from the stage and later fainted in a side room, hitting her head and suffering bleeding in her brain.
Representatives for Cohen and NBC Universal have declined to comment on the allegations.
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.
