International
Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Lynch to be honoured
MUMBAI: Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Aniston and Maggie Smith have been picked up amongst those to be honoured next month at the 2011 Women‘s Image Network (WIN) Awards.
Amongst the rest are names like Jane Lynch, philanthropist Suzanne Fleisher Roberts, mother of Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, Temple Grandin, Glee, Made in Dagenham and Secretariat and actresses Diane Lane, Sally Hawkins, Susan Sarandon and Selena Gomez.
WIN founder Phyllis Stuart said that Taylor is being honored for her “artistic genius and her HIV/AIDS activism.” The two-time Oscar-winning actress agreed to be honored but is ailing and might not be able to attend the 18 January event in Santa Monica.
Presented since 1993, the WIN awards celebrate film, television and advertising artistes who “create dimensional female media images which shape positive public opinion about the value of women and girls.”
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.
