International
Mario Puzo estate forbids Paramount to stop sequel of The Godfather
MUMBAI: The estate of Mario Puzo, who wrote Godfather that was adapted into the classic Francis Ford Coppola film, The Godfather, has brought hurdles in the way of Paramount Pictures‘ attempts to stop a new licensed literary sequel.
Last Monday, the Puzo estate filed an answer and counterclaim in New York federal court that alleged Paramount doesn‘t have as much hold on the Godfather franchise as the studio asserts. The Puzo estate now wishes to terminate its original 1969 rights granted to Paramount that would certainly have huge implications well beyond mere books.
Paramount filed its own lawsuit last month that sought an injunction to prevent the publishing of a book reportedly titled The Family Corleone about Vito Corleone‘s rise to power in Depression-era New York, scheduled to be released in July.
The studio alleged in its lawsuit that the previous Godfather book sequel had tarnished the legacy of the famous mafia story and that it had agreements with the Puzo heirs not to come out with any more new sequels.
The Puzo estate, in its answer Monday, hit back at Paramount, denying many of the studio‘s claims including that the Godfather 3 film was highly acclaimed.
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.
