International
Natalie Portman offered role in 3D survival story
MUMBAI: Praised for her excellent performance in Darren Aronofsky‘s psychological thriller Black Swan, Natalie Portman has been approached by Warner Bros. the lead role in a 3D survival story titled Gravity. The role recently vacated by Angelina Jolie.
The $80 million 3-D film to be directed by Alfonso Cuaron centers on a woman stranded on a space station after satellite debris slam into it and wipes out the rest of the crew.
Incidentally, Cuaron has wriiten the script he wrote with his son Jonas after which the studio approached Portman with the offer. She is expected to read the latest version of the script this week and decide shortly.
Gravity‘s shooting is likley to start at the end of January, before Downey goes off to other engagements.
Portman already has three projects that will be released next year, the Paramount romantic comedy No Strings in January, the Universal comedy Your Highness in April and the Marvel/Paramount comedy cum actioner Thor in May.
Scuttlebutt at Telluride after its first screenings is that, based solely on Swan reviews during the previous few days, Terrence Malick wants Portman for a Jerry Lee Lewis-related project he‘s developing with Brad Pitt, and Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare In Love) also apparently is writing something for her. This is in addition to widespread opinion that Portman will be fielding major awards attention at year‘s end. Fox Searchlight will release Black Swan on December 1.
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.
