International
MGM deadline extension has Lions Gate smiling
MUMBAI: In its bid to take control of MGM, Spyglass Entertainment suffered a significant setback after the ailing studio extended the deadline for creditors to vote on whether to hand the reins to Spyglass principals Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum till 29 October.
The Spyglass plan would give the production company a 4.7 per ecnt stake in the studio and the balance of ownership to more than 100 lenders. The Spyglass plan would eliminate all MGM debt. Eventually, Barber and Birnbaum would seek new loans for MGM operating capital.
On the other hand, the delay gives rival suitor Lions Gate more time to convince creditors to consider its proposal. Backed by major shareholders including Carl Icahn and Gordon Crawford‘s Capital Research, Lions Gate proposes to merge with MGM to form a company in which it would hold a 45 per cent stake and the lenders 55 per cent.
MGM isn‘t letting lenders specifically vote on the Lions Gate plan, nor have Lions Gate executives been able to make a formal presentation. But with momentum on its side, the Lions Gate proposal could win by default if lenders vote against adopting the Spyglass plan.
One way or another, MGM needs to restructure its finances to reduce or eliminate almost $4 billion in debt. Any restructuring likely would culminate in the filing of a pre-packaged reorganisation plan in US Bankruptcy Court.
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.
