International
Singer Al Martino no more
MUMBAI: Crooner Al Martino expired on Tuesday at the age of 82. A crooner who had several hits to his credit in more than 20 years, Martino essayed the role of Johnny Fontane in all the Godfather films.
Born Alfred Cini on 7 October, 1927 in South Philadelphia, Martino was pushed into singing by his childhood friend Mario Lanza. He began his singing career in the late 1940s.
His single Here in My Heart hit no. 1 in the U.K. in 1952 and stayed on top for a record nine weeks. That year, Martino performed for Queen Elizabeth at the London Palladium.
Martino had a run of chart singles through 1953, but his career stalled with the advent of rock ‘n‘ roll. He caught fire again in 1963 with the Top 5 hit I Love You Because; it was the first of six consecutive top 40 singles in less than two years, including I Love You More and More Every Day in 1964.
Martino sang I Have but One Heart (O Marenariello) in the first part of Godfather in the wedding
scene.
A longtime resident of Beverly Hills, Martino is survived by his wife, Judi; a daughter, Allison; a son, Alfred; a brother, Frank; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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.
