International
James Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host Oscars
MUMBAI: In a bid to attract younger viewers to the telecast, young actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway will co-host the 83rd Academy Awards to be held in February next year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday.
In a statement the academy said that the two actors personify the next generation of Hollywood icons – fresh, exciting and multi-talented. Making the choice more unusual, both Franco and Hathaway are part of this year‘s Oscar race.
Franco has been nominated as best actor for his role in 127 Hours while Hathaway has been nominated in the best actress category for playing an early-onset Parkinson‘s victim in Love and Other Drugs.
Last year, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosted the ceremony.
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.
