International
French first lady in Woody Allen film
MUMBAI: French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has been signed to appear in a new Woody Allen film that is due to roll this summer in Paris.
The film that also stars French Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, has Hollywood actors Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams in the cast.
Bruni-Sarkozy‘s role in the film is expected to be announced later this week.
Allen, one of America‘s most prolific film writers and directors, said last year that he would like to use the former supermodel in one of his films but then he did not have a story for her.
Bruni-Sarkozy, 42, who married French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, appeared briefly on the big screen as herself in Robert Altman‘s 1994 fashion satire Pret-a-Porter. She is also a successful singer-songwriter with a string of albums.
Allen, who has made a film almost every year since 1971, won an Oscar for his film Annie Hall starring Diane Keaton.
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.
