International
Italian screenwriter Cecchi D’Amico expires
MUMBAI: Suso Cecchi D‘Amico, who emerged from the male-dominated post-war Italian cinema to become a celebrated artiste having contributed in films like Bicycle Thieves and The Leopard expired onSaturday at age 96. She died in her hometown, Rome while no cause of her death was given. She is survived by her three children.
Cecchi D‘Amico worked with some of the most renowned Italian directors, including Franco Zeffirelli, Michelangelo Antonioni and Mario Monicelli, whose film Casanova 70 got her an Oscar nomination.
She was equally successful at writing scripts for neo-realistic movies, art-house films and comedies like Big Deal on Madonna Street. Her work helped make the Italian post-war movie scene a vibrant and innovative one.
Among other titles, she contributed to was The Leopard, the sumptuous depiction of the decline of a Sicilian aristocratic family based on the book by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa starring Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon.
Said Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano that D‘Amico was a “great protagonist of one of the best seasons of Italian cinema.”
Claudia Cardinale, who starred in The Leopard praised her deep culture and generosity. Cecchi D‘Amico won several Italian awards and in 1994 the Venice Film Festival gave her a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
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.
