International
Roger Deakins bags ninth ASC nomination
MUMBAI: The American Society of Cinematographers has bestowed upon Roger Deakins the ninth ASC feature film nomination of his career for his work in the Western True Grit. Other nominees are Matthew Labatique for Black Swan, Wally Pfister for Inception, Danny Cohen for The King‘s Speech and Jeff Cronenweth for The Social Network.
Deakins, who last year also served as visual consultant on the animated movie How to Train Your Dragon, has received eight Oscar nominations for his cinematography, including two in 2008 when he was nominated for both the Coen brothers‘ No Country for Old Men and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. But he has yet to take home the Oscar itself.
In addition to his nomination for the Coens‘ True Grit, he is scheduled to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards, which will be held Feb. 13 at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.
Highly regarded by both cinematographers and film connoisseurs alike, Deakins won ASC awards for 1994‘s The Shawshank Redemption and 2001‘s The Man Who Wasn‘t There.
Pfister‘s nomination for Inception is his third ASC nom. He also was nominated for two other films from director Christopher Nolan like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
Other nominees include Matthew Labatique for Black Swan, Wally Pfister for Inception, Danny Cohen for The King‘s Speech and Jeff Cronenweth for The Social Network.
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.
