International
Harold Gould departs for heavenly abode
MUMBAI: Easily recognisable character actor in TV, films and theater, Harold Gould died of prostate cancer on 11 September. He was 86.
Gould, best known for playing Marty Morgenstern, father of the title character in the 1970s sitcom Rhoda, is also remembered playing the con man Kid Twist in the The Sting.
Gould was equally comfortable in comedy and drama. Starting in the early ‘60s, he appeared in episodes of such TV classics as The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, Mr. Ed, Get Smart, The Fugitive, Hogan‘s Heroes, I Dream of Jeannie, Columbo, The Love Boat and Gunsmoke.
His final screen role was in an episode of the final season of Nip/Tuck that aired in February last.
His film career included memorable turns in Woody Allen‘s Love and Death that featured Gould in a riotous pistol duel with a hapless Allen in Russia and Mel Brooks‘ Silent Movie.
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.
