International
Seth Gordon in talks to helm ‘King Dork’
MUMBAI: Seth Gordon, the Four Christmases director is in talks to direct King Dork the high school dramedy based on Frank Portman‘s young-adult novel.
Will Ferrell and Adam McKay‘s Gary Sanchez Prods., which is producing Dork had set up the project at Par Vantage. But with the dissolution of that unit, the project has migrated to Sony.
Published in 2006, Dork centers on teenage misfit Tom Henderson, a student who is tormented by all sorts of cliques and seeks refuge in music. He also attempts to uncover the truth about his late father who died under hazy circumstances while combing through some books.
Gordon has also been signed on to direct Suicide Squad that talks about a heist gone wrong at the Kentucky Derby; the male-centric comedy Mr. Romance and a feature adaptation of Kong that is under development.
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.
