International
Gilbert Cates no more
MUMBAI: Gilbert Cates, long time Oscars producer has expired. Declaring the death of its Dean Cates, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television said that he expired on October 31 at the age of 77.
Cates produced the Academy Awards(R) 14 times between 1990 and 2008, more than any other individual. In addition, he served three terms as governor of the Academy‘s Directors Branch and was a board member since 2002. He also was vice president with the organization from 2003 to 2005.
Cates received multiple Emmy nominations for his Oscar work in addition to the honours from the Directors Guild of America and the President‘s Award in 2005. The same year, Cates received the Board of Governors Award from the American Society of Cinematographers, and also a Filmmaker Award by the Cinema Audio Society in 2007.
In addition, Cates produced dozens of television films beginning from the ‘60s to the 2000s as well as Broadway and off-Broadway plays.
Cates was the dean of the UCLA School fo Theater, Film and Television from 1990 to 1998.
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.
