International
John Travolta to be honoured by Golden Camera on 5 February
MUMBAI: John Travolta will receive the Golden Camera in Berlin on 5 February. He will be honoured with the best actor international honour, a trophy that has previously gone to such luminaries as Richard Gere, Bruce Willis, Nicolas Cage and Sylvester Stallone.
“Receiving the Golden Camera best actor international award is a huge honour for me,” Travolta has been reported as saying. “Over the past few months, so many positive things have happened to my family and me: Becoming a dad again has ignited such joy within me. … But I also take great pride in my work, and it‘s wonderful to have it recognized in such a way.”
But honoring Travolta could prove controversial in Germany. The Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction star is a prominent Scientologist as many Germans view Scientology as a dangerous cult.
The 46th Golden Camera awards would be broadcast live on German public network ZDF.
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.
