International
Paris Hilton denied entry into Japan
MUMBAI: After being denied entry at Tokyo‘s airport on Wednesday following her drug violation in the US, Paris Hilton has cancelled her Asia tour to promote her fashion and fragrance lines and boarded a private jet back to Los Angeles.
Hilton had arrived in Japan on Tuesday morning but spent the night in an airport hotel after undergoing six hours of questioning by officials. Incidentally, on Monday, she had pleaded guilty to a drug charge in Las Vegas. She was arrested last month for cocaine possession.
Hilton also cancelled appearances in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. She isn‘t the only celebrity who has faced problems entering Japan. Madonna was restricted from entering the country during the 2002 World Cup finals because of past drug offences but was later given a 30-day visa as a special delegate. Paul McCartney was also arrested for marijuana possession at the Narita airport in January 1980 and later deported.
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.
