International
Disney eyes teen star Bridgit Mendler
MUMBAI: It‘s too early to compare 16-year-old Bridgit Mendler to Miley Cyrus or Vanessa Hudgens, but Disney Channel has given her the lead role in a new sitcom called Good Luck Charlie.
“We just fell in love with her,” said Adam Bonnett, senior vice president original programming at Disney Channel. “She has all the attributes of a Disney star.”
Disney Channel first cast Mendler on freshman comedy “Jonas,” where she appeared in two episodes playing a love interest for Nick Jonas.
That was followed by a four-episode stint on Wizards of Waverly Place. In the upcoming arc, Mendler plays “an everyday girl with a sunny disposition who is a blood-sucking vampire,” Bonnett said.
In her first starring role on Charlie, slated to debut next year on Disney Channels worldwide, Mendler plays Teddy Holliday alongside Disney Channel regular Jason Dolley, who plays her brother Casey. When their parents go back to work full time after having a baby, the care and feeding of their new sister — nicknamed Charlie — falls to the teenage siblings.
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.
