International
Icahn and Lions Gate at loggerheads
MUMBAI: Shareholders, at a meeting on Monday, again saw Investor Carl C. Icahn and Lions Gate Entertainment at loggerheads when Carl Icahn said that he was extending his $7-a-share takeover offer for Lions Gate until 21 May.
But the studio called this extension a sign of weakness on Icahn‘s part since shareholders had tendered less than 6.5 per cent of the company‘s outstanding shares so far. The studio asserted that this was evidence that its shareholders had rejected Icahn‘s offer.
On the other hand, Icahn assailed Lions Gate‘s board and management for trying to push through a poison pill defense against his takeover bid,especially after the company lost an appeal of a ruling by the British Columbia Securities Commission that voided the poison pill plan on Friday.
Lions Gate is based in Vancouver and subject to Canadian securities law, although it operates out of Santa Monica, California.
Despite the adverse court ruling, Lions Gate is still planning on holding a special shareholders meeting on Wednesday to vote on the poison pill plan.
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.
