International
Hope Davis replaces Julianne Moore to play Hillary Clinton
MUMBAI: Julianne Moore, originally slated to play Hillary Clinton has pulled out because of a scheduling conflict. Hope Davis will now play the former First Lady and current Secretary of State.
The film that chronicles the unique and sometimes turbulent political relationship between newly installed British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill Clinton in the late 1990s, is slated to begin production on 20 July in London.
Dennis Quaid will play President Clinton while Michael Sheen will be seen as Prime Minister Blair with Helen McCrory enacting the role of Cherie Blair.
Oscar-nominated scribe Peter Morgan, who wrote the film had planned to make Special Relationship his directorial debut but pulled out from helming the same with Richard Loncraine stepping in to direct.
Morgan is executive producing with Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Andy Harries and Christine Langan.
For Moore, the scheduling conflict arose from her commitment to the feature The Kids Are All Right.
Davis, who co-starred on HBO‘s In Treatment the last season is currently on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage for which she received a Tony nomination.
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.
