International
John Woo bags top Hong Kong honour
MUMBAI: The Hong Kong government has decided to bestow the Silver Bauhinia Star, a top official honour to veteran director John Woo in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong and Chinese cinema. The award is named after the semiautonomous territory‘s official flower.
Woo made his name in Hong Kong with his action thrillers before moving to Hollywood, where his credits include Face/Off, Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Mission: Impossible II among others. In 2008, he returned to directing Chinese films with the two-part historical epic Red Cliff and Red Cliff II.
The annual honours were announced by Hong Kong to mark the 13th anniversary of the former British colony‘s return to Chinese rule.
Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, and The Killer. He also created the comic series Seven Brothers published by Virgin Comics.
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.
