International
Paramount set to open animation division
MUMBAI: In a landmark decision, Paramount Pictures has decided to launch an in-house animation division and has slated its first title release in 2014.
Detailing the development, Paramount Chairman and CEO Brad Grey said that the initiative was part of the studio‘s long-term strategy for growth and the new division Paramount Animation would focus on high quality animation with budgets of up to $100 million per picture. The division, part of the Paramount Motion Picture Group, will report to the group‘s president Adam Goodman and will initially target one release per year.
“We‘ve come a long way over the last six years. Our team has worked hard to build best in class production, marketing and distribution divisions which have proven they consistently execute at the highest level across all genres and price points. Establishing an in-house animation division was the logical next step for us,” said Grey.
Paramount Animation‘s mandate will be the development of the broadest range of family CGI animated films, with a key piece being titles under the label of Viacom‘s Nickelodeon, the number one entertainment brand for kids worldwide. The Studio will also look to build on Viacom‘s already thriving global consumer products business by seeking to capitalise on merchandising opportunities tied to all Paramount Animation releases.
While Paramount has released an array of animated films in its history, the company‘s first fully owned CGI animated property was Rango that released in March last year.
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.
