International
Emmys move back to Sept. 20
MUMBAI: It is one big “nevermind” as the 61st Primetime Emmys is returning to their original date, Sept. 13.
Two weeks after CBS, which carries the awards show this year, and the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences took the rare step of moving the ceremony up a week to Sept. 13, they did an about-face, going back to their original Emmy plans.
The decision was made after it became clear that MTV‘s Video Music Awards are slated for Sept. 13. The cable channel, part of Viacom and once a corporate sibling of CBS, is expected to make an official announcement about the date, venue and host of this years VMAs next week, but it told CBS about the plans in advance.
“After we announced plans for Sept. 13, MTV informed us they were locked into the same day for the Video Music Awards, with venue and sponsorship agreements in place. We had the flexibility to move; they didn‘t,” said Jack Sussman, CBS‘ executive vp, specials, music and live events. “It‘s best for the industry and the audience that these events not compete against each other.”
In addition to attracting top music talent, the VMAs, MTV‘s premiere annual event, draws big ratings. Last year, the award show hosted by Russell Brand, attracted 8.4 million viewers, most of them in the sought-after younger demographics.
With the Primetime Emmys returning to the 20th, the Creative Arts Emmys, slated for Sept. 12, will go back to their original venue, the Nokia Theatre, which also hosts the primetime awards. (In the wake of the Primetime Emmys‘ move to Sept. 13, the Creative Arts Emmys were shifted to the nearby Los Angeles Convention Center to accommodate preparations for CBS‘ live broadcast the next evening.)
The decision to move the Primetime Emmys to the 13th came after the NFL released its schedule and it featured a double-header on the 20th, which will be carried by CBS. Fearing a possible delay to the Emmy ceremony if the late afternoon game bleeds into primetime, the network opted to move the show to the 13th, where it also would‘ve faced the lower-profile Bears-Packers NFL game on NBC.
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.
