International
Don Mischer receives PGA honour
MUMBAI: Producer, director Don Mischer will be presented with the 2012 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. The award has been instituted by the Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Said Guild Awards co-chairs Paula Wagner and Michael Manheim in a statement, “Don Mischer is an extraordinarily talented producer whose work is amongst the best and most watched entertainment in the world. His ability to consistently deliver live event productions of the highest caliber is unmatched in this industry. We look forward to honoring Don for his remarkable achievements.”
Previous recipients of this award include Tom Hanks, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lorne Michaels, Aaron Spelling, Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley, Mark Burnett and Norman Lear.
The award will be presented at the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on January 21st, 2012 in Los Angeles.
It may be interesting to note that Norman Lear was the first live television producer to receive the honor.
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.
