International
New film and TV studio gets going in Chicago
MUMBAI:With the opening of a state-of-the-art film and television studio, said to be the largest facility in the United States outside Hollywood, Chicago has been touted as a new ‘world class film destination’.
Joined by Emmy Award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer and the producers of the new Chicago-inspired TV series “Boss,”
Illinois governor Pat Quinn announced that the state was investing five million US dollars into the new privately-owned Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. “We want to make sure that Chicago, Illinois, is a place where when you come to make a TV show or a movie, you get a great studio space,” Quinn has reportedly said.
The new Chicago studio will eventually be expanded to 1.2 million square feet (111, 000 square meters) of space that can accommodate three to six productions at the same time, potentially creating thousands of film industry jobs, according to Betsy Steinberg, director of the Illinois Film Office (IFO).
Quinn also announced a record 161 million dollar in spending on film and television projects for 2010 in Illinois that would create around 8,000 jobs. “That‘s what this is all about, real jobs for hardworking men and women who know how to do tough, challenging things on deadline,” Quinn added.
The five million dollars that Illinois was investing to construct Cinespace, comes from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital programme which is only a small percentage of the 80 million dollars in private investment by Toronto-based studio owner Nick Mirkopoulos.
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.
