International
DreamWorks pushing forward ghost project
MUMBAI: Dreamworks is pushing forward with a new untitled ghost project that is competing for a fourth-quarter 2012 release slot.
The project, referred to internally as Boo U recently picked up writer Jon Vitti (The Simpsons Movie), who will pen the screenplay. The story line centers on a ghost who is bad at his job and must return to ghost school.
The project will be directed by Tony Leondis (“Igor”) and executive produced by Gil Netter and Courtney Pledger.
Another ghost-centric film, referred to as Freakers was being written by Joe Syracuse & Lisa Addario (Surf‘s Up) and centers on a ghost story told from the ghosts‘ point of view, in their world. That project is no longer active.
A third ghost-related story idea is in the pitch stage.
In late May, DWA CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, whose contract recently was extended to 2013, said a “supersecret ghost project” was on the books for a potential late-2012 slot. Boo U is that project.
Puss in Boots (March 30) and a third Madagascar movie (May) are also slated for release in 2012. The ghost picture would hit theaters Nov. 12, unless the caveman comedy The Croods or the Terry Pratchett adaptation Truckers makes the cut instead.
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.
