International
Oaks Theatre closes, new operator on the look out
MUMBAI: After the closure of the historic Oaks Theater on Solano Boulevard, its owner is in search of a new operator. The theatre, built in 1925, was being run by Merriment Media Works for nine months but ceased operations shortly before Christmas.
Property owner John Gordon said the group had plans to add food and drinks with foreign films on the screen, emphasizing Bollywood fare. “They owned a Bollywood theatre in the Fremont area and they said that they were going to convert the theatre to digital. They were also film importers and could download their films. They were going to show other foreign films on one screen and the second run on the other,” Gordon said.
Gordon said that the group tried to bring in Bollywood stars for events but still couldn‘t draw. The previous operator, Metropolitan Theaters of Southern California, decided not to renew the lease early last year. Merriment Media Works then stepped in to take over the theatre.
Gordon said once some legal issues are taken care of, he will try to find a new operator. “Once we get control we‘re in a better position to start marketing it,” he said.
Gordon would like the building to continue to be a theatre, either showing films live performances.
In 1973, the Oaks was split into two theaters. It was renovated in 1994 when Renaissance Rialto took it over. Allen Michaan, who runs the Grand Lake, operated the theatre until 2005, after which Metropolitan took over.
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.
