International
Raquel Welch receives Icon award at Temecula fest
MUMBAI: The 16th annual Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival, that wrapped up last Sunday honoured actress Raquel Welch, actor Eric Roberts and musician Kenny Loggins.
While Welch received the Icon Award, Roberts, 54, received a career achievement award. Presenting Roberts‘ award was former wrestling star Steve Austin who co-starred with Roberts in this year‘s action film The Expendables.
Since 1995, the festival has screened more than 1,500 films from more than 20 countries. It also features music and film industry workshops.
Previous festival honorees include Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and Earth, Wind & Fire as well as Carl Reiner, Gena Rowlands, Michael Madsen and Louis Gossett Jr.
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.
