International
Spyglass Entertainment likely to take control of MGM
MUMBAI: Spyglass Entertainment is in the last lap of coming to an agreement to take control of debt-ridden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Both MGM and Spyglass have agreed on major points including how much Spyglass founders Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum would be compensated in management fees and equity, but a few issues still need to be resolved. Barber and Birnbaum would receive an ownership stake of 4 to 5 per cent in the restructured MGM, it is believed.
According to a plan that Spyglass presented to leading creditors of MGM, Barber and Birnbaum would run a scaled-back version of the studio as co-chief executives. Under a restructuring plan, the creditors would swap their debt for equity.
However, a major point, of a breakup fee that Spyglass would be paid if MGM decides to back out of the arrangement, is still to be decided.
Spyglass, however, would remain a separate company and will continue to produce its own slate of movies. If the deal goes through, a part of the Spyglass library of about 15 films like The Sixth Sense and Seabiscuit, personally owned by Barber and Birnbaum, would become a part of MGM‘s own catalogue of 4,000 films.
Barber and Birnbaum have conveyed to MGM authorities that they plan to slash overhead costs and produce a few films on a yearly basis including James Bond sequels and two planned films with Warner Bros.‘ New Line Cinema.
MGM creditors have been weighing several options for survival as a stand-alone company. They are considering the proposed mergers with Summit Entertainment and Lions Gate Entertainment. They are also looking into Time Warner Inc’s long-standing $1.5 billion bid to acquire MGM.
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.
