International
Lanny Noveck joins ICM
MUMBAI: Lanny Noveck, head of scripted television at WMA has joined ICM where he will be an agent in the TV lit department. However it isn‘t clear as to how many of his clients will follow him to ICM, where he starts working today.
Noveck, a 30-year WMA veteran, was one of the 100 or so agency staffers laid off a couple weeks ago as fallout of WMA‘s merger with Endeavor. He led WMA‘s TV literary department for 15 years before being named head of scripted packaging in 2005.
The series he has helped package include The King of Queens and That ‘70s Show. In addition to Noveck, ICM took in another TV lit agent let go from WMA in the post-merger shuffle, Dan Norton. He joined ICM on 21 May. Three years ago Norton began his career at ICM before going over to WMA.
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.
