International
Paramount acquires comic strip ‘New Kid’ for animted film
MUMBAI: Paramount has acquired the rights of New Kid, an online comic from Penny Arcade, and will be making an animation film based on that.
The script of New Kid will be written by Gary Whitta of Books of Eli.
The story revolves around a boy who has to constantly change schools because of his father’s job. The kid happens to be the lone Earthling in a school full of aliens.
Penny Arcade is one the few web-comic sites that has made its mark in video games, blogs, online TV shows and podcasts. It published New Kid last October.
Paramount’s deal with DreamWorks is almost over and it is already looking for a new animated fare, if at all its deal with DWA cannot be renewed. The studio is hoping to level the success of Rango, which generated more than $240 million worldwide.
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.
