International
Kristofferson honored with Stephen Bruton Award at Lone Star film festival
MUMBAI: Last Friday, Kris Kristofferson was presented with the inaugural Stephen Bruton Award in the Lone Star International Film Festival.
Said the 73-year-old Kristofferson, “I‘m very moved by the award, but I don‘t like the reason for it. I‘m here to honour Stephen.”
A near-capacity crowd squeezed into the intimate Lola‘s Saloon Stockyards to pay tribute to Kristofferson. The Fort Worth singer-songwriter, producer and actor died in May at age 60 from complications from cancer.
Designed by Bruton‘s friend, local architect Mark Gunderson, the award itself was an elegant homage, constructed from wood, steel and a bit of the counter from the Bruton family store, Record Town.
Bruton‘s mother, Kathleen, assisted by his brother Sumter, presented Kristofferson the award, telling him that he “could be halfway around the world playing a real good gig.”
The audience was also treated to filmmaker J. Mitchell Johnson‘s lovingly assembled mini-documentary about Bruton‘s too-short life and his relationship with Kristofferson.
The award is intended to honour artistes the careers of whom are anchored in music but also feature work in films, said Lone Star International Film Festival artistic director, Alec Jhangiani.
A rotating committee made up of Bruton‘s family, friends and associates will meet to determine future recipients, with an eye toward launching a music component of the Lone Star International Film Festival in a few years.
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.
