International
Space Battleship..creator Nishizaki no more
MUMBAI: Yoshinobu Nishizaki, producer and co-creator of the original Space Battleship Yamato anime, died in a boating accident on Sunday off the Ogasawara Islands, south of Tokyo.
Nishizaki, 75, fell from the boat – the 485-ton Yamato – as it was anchored just outside a port on Chichi Island, while getting ready to swim. He was rescued by a Coast Guard boat but was pronounced dead two hours later.
It is not the first time Nishizaki has been in trouble in the ocean. In the late 1990s, after his production company went bankrupt and he was on bail for possession of multiple illegal substances, he reportedly smuggled an assault rifle, grenade launcher and other weapons and ammunition from the Philippines on a cruiser he owned.
He was arrested again in 1999 on drugs and firearms charges, later handing in weapons and munitions, including 30 Howitzer shells, to police.
Nishizaki created the first Yamato TV series with animator Leiji Matsumoto.
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.
