International
Neil Patrick Harris books two films
MUMBAI: Neil Patrick Harris has snagged two feature film roles: a starring gig in the indie farce The Best and the Brightest and a supporting role in CBS Films‘ Beastly.
Co-written and directed by Josh Shelov, Best revolves around a couple from Delaware who move to New York‘s Upper East Side and enter the world of the city‘s private kindergartens.
Harris is playing the husband, who is not worried about his social status. Bonnie Somerville is on board as the class-aware wife. Also cast are Amy Sedaris, John Hodgman, Peter Serafinowicz, Bridget Regan, Kate Mulgrew and Christopher McDonald. Robert and Patricia Weiser are reteaming with Richard Schiffrin — with whom they collaborated on the steroid documentary Bigger Stronger Faster — to produce along with Nicholas Simon.
Shelov, who penned Green Street Hooligans and created the ESPN series “Mayne Street, wrote the script with Michael Jaeger. Shooting recently began in Philadelphia.
In “Beastly, a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Harris is playing a blind tutor who helps and bonds with a teen (Alex Pettyfer) who is shell-shocked from being turned into a hideous young man. Vanessa Hudgens and Mary-Kate Olsen also star in the adaptation of the Alex Finn novel, being directed by Daniel Barnz. The movie is in a pre-production stage.
Paradigm-repped Harris, who hosted Sunday‘s Tony Awards, has been twice nominated for an Emmy for his work in the TV series “How I Met Your Mother.” Both movies will done on Harris‘ summer hiatus from the show.
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.
