International
Relativity Media ropes in Steve Bertram as COO & CFO
MUMBAI: Media and entertainment company Relativity Media has appointed Steve Bertram as its COO and CFO.
Bertram will oversee the day-to-day company operations for Relativity, including the building and managing of the company‘s domestic and international distribution relationships.
In his position as COO, he will directly report to Relativity president Michael Joe and to Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh for his duties as CFO.
Bertram joins Relativity from Paramount Home Entertainment where he was president of business operations.
Prior to his position at Paramount, Bertram was CFO of Dreamworks and was involved in negotiating its sale to Viacom after the separation from DreamWorks Animation.
Says Kavanaugh, “We‘re thrilled to have a seasoned veteran like Steve join our team. He brings with him deep and extensive expertise at a time when our company has delivered on the promise of becoming a fully-functioning, full service studio. As our business ventures continue to grow, Steve‘s expertise will prove invaluable.”
Prior to joining Paramount, Bertram held a variety of senior positions in operations, marketing, distribution, strategic planning, and finance at DreamWorks LLC. He served as chief financial officer of the privately held DreamWorks subsequent to the public offering of the animation company in 2004, and was responsible for managing all finance, strategic planning and banking activities.
Adds Bertram, “Ryan has incredible vision and has built a strong and innovative company. I‘m very excited to join Relativity as it continues to rethink what‘s possible in the entertainment industry.”
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.
