International
Harvey Pekar dies at 70
MUMBAI: Harvey Pekar, who chronicled his travails as a low-level filing clerk in the comic series American Splendor that was made into an award-winning 2003 film expired at the age of 70.
Pekar, who had a range of ailments including prostate cancer, high blood pressure, asthma and clinical depression was found dead by his wife, Joyce Brabner in their house in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
An employee of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Cleveland until he retired in 2001, Pekar became friends with underground comics creator Robert Crumb through their mutual love of jazz and began contributing stories to The People‘s Comics in the 1970s. Starting 1976, Pekar started publishing tales under the title American Splendor, with Crumb serving as the series‘ first illustrator.
During the ‘80s, the success of his comics as well as his mordant sense of humor brought him close to David Letterman. This association led to a series of appearances on Letterman‘s late-night NBC show where he freely criticised NBC‘s parent company General Electric.
After he was diagnosed with lymphatic Cancer in 1990, Pekar along with his third wife Brabner wrote the book-length comic Our Cancer Year detailing the grueling treatment.
Their life was brought to the screen in Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini‘s film American Splendor in which Paul Giamatti played Pekar while Pekar made an appearance playing Real Harvey.
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.
