International
Ross to pen CBS Films thriller
MUMBAI: Michael Ross has been signed by Irwin Winkler who had earlier produced Home of the Brave to write Disavowed– an action thriller for CBS Films.
Originally written by Philip Shelby, the film is about a group of military prisoners in the U.S. secretly dispatched to the African nation of Eritrea to retrieve a bio-chemical weapon that has gone missing. If the group is successful in keeping it out of the wrong hands, the convicts‘ prison sentences will be commuted.
“It‘s a really exciting and simple premise,” said Ross. “I want to honor that and make a really fun and engaging action movie
. That‘s the goal, is to make it moment-to-moment exciting, take advantage of the location and the simplicity of the plot and the opportunity to work within a really fun genre, which is the man-on-a-mission movie.”
Ross is also is working on the script for the remake of the thriller Jar City for Overture Films.
Ross has also scripts for the political thriller Cartagena in development with 2929 Prods. The film is the remake of Near Dark in development with Rogue Pictures and an untitled Chernobyl action thriller in development at Summit.
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.
