International
Michael Stuhlbarg in Men In Black III
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures has signed Michael Stuhlbarg for a role in Men In Black III that the studio wants to release next year. In all likelihood, Stuhlbarg will be asked to play the role of Griffin which was originally to be played by Sharlto Copley, who caught the audience’s eye in the 2009 hit District 9.
Similar was the case of the 42-year old Stuhlbarg who was unknown until the Coen Bros. cast him in their 2009 film A Serious Man, that landed him a Golden Globe nomination.
Since then, Stuhlbarg has teamed up twice with Martin Scorsese on the stellar HBO series Boardwalk Empire and the forthcoming children‘s fantasy Hugo Cabret.
Barry Sonnenfeld is once again directing Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in the threequel with Emma Thompson, Josh Brolin, Alice Eve, Jermaine Clement and more joining the cast.
Men In Black III will be released on standard and 3D screens on 25 May next year.
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.
