International
Pixar’s ‘Up’ may feature in next Oscar
MUMBAI: Up is only Pixar‘s 10th feature film but it could well win the studio its fifth Oscar for animated feature. Before audiences see Up they are being shown a teaser trailer for next year‘s Pixar picture Toy Story 3.
All of the old toys are back – Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) and Hamm (John Ratzenberger) – along with newcomers Ken (Michael Keaton) and Barbie (Jodie Benson). The film is directed by Lee Unkrich who co-helmed Toy Story 2 with a script by Oscar winner Michael Arndt of Little Miss Sunshine fame.
Both the original Toy Story (1995) and the equally successful sequel Toy Story 2 (1999) predate the separate animated film category at the Oscars. Toy Story contended for best original screenplay (The Usual Suspect ) as well as song and musical/comedy score (Pocahantas).
Pixar does not intend to match the ramped-up output of DreamWorks Animation that promises at least eight new titles in the coming three years. Rather, the studio will stick to its proven schedule of one film every year or so.
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.
