International
Delay in James Bond film worries producers
MUMBAI: In April, Michael G. Wilson and his half sister and fellow Bond producer, Barbara Broccoli had announced that development of the next 007 feature called Bond 23 was suspended “indefinitely.”
Financial woes at MGM, which owns rights to Bond, is saddled with a crushing $4 billion in debt. There is no doubt, however that Bond will be back but the questions remain about how the new film will find its financing. It is also being questioned whether the open-ended delay will slow the momentum the franchise had rediscovered with Daniel Craig on the saddle.
Though Broccoli and Wilson declined to comment, but are said to be deeply concerned about the effect of an indefinite delay. Broccoli is hoping for a sale to Time Warner. Broccoli and Wilson also continue to push for Sony Pictures to be involved in the matter.
As 007 sits on the sidelines, Bond hardly is the only game in town. The spy marketplace is filled with competing secret agents crowding multiplexes and those are in competition with the slew of comic book characters seeking a big slice of Bond‘s audience.
GoldenEye veterans Dixon and Campbell have teamed on the upcoming DC Comics creation Green Lantern.
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.
