International
Robert De Niro institutes $25,000 award for painters
MUMBAI: Robert De Niro has instituted a new 25,000 annual award, the Robert De Niro Sr. Prize that will honour American artists for achievement in painting.
The prize will be administered by the Tribeca Film Institute said the Tribeca Film Institute co-chairman De Niro. He was joined by Megan Fox Kelly and Jeffrey Hoffeld, advisors to the estate.
A committee of distinguished individuals in the art world will be appointed annually to nominate and select three finalists and the prize recipient.
The estate will also host a group exhibition for the finalists at which the winner will be announced.
De Niro will fund the prize, which is among the first to celebrate and shine a light on midcareer artists. The first prize will be awarded in 2011.
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.
