International
Disney sets up first ever 3D panel
MUMBAI: Disney is dishing out what it‘s calling Comic-Con‘s first ever 3D panel, unleashing footage from Disney‘s A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland and Tron.
Avatar director James Cameron, Carol‘s Robert Zemeckis and Alice director Tim Burton will make the trek to the Con for the first time. Producers Sean Bailey and Steve Lisberger will represent Tron.
The two panels, set for 23 July in the cavernous Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center, will mark the first time any panel has screened reels in 3D, highlighting just how important that slice of the industry has become.
Apart from the high-level interest in Avatar and Tron Hall H might also see a repeat of last year‘s female fan frenzy with Summit‘s presentation of New Moon. In the programme lineup unveiled Thursday by Comic-Con International, the Twilight sequel panel takes place after the Avatar session.
All those eye-popping sizzle reels will require retrofitting to be done in the hall, including work on the projection system and the screen. Thousands of pairs of 3D glasses also will be needed. Fox and Disney are sharing the costs. It is unclear whether Bold and Comic-Con are participating in the cost-sharing.
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.
