International
Talks on for SAG merger with AFTRA
MUMBAI: Hectic activity can be seen for the creation of a single actors‘ union in Hollywood. The board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) has given its approval to continue a series of meetings with the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) on that account.
The board has also set a 14 May deadline for a union committee to make a series of recommendations on a formal process for establishing a successor union that would represent actors and other performers.
Though nothing has been agreed upon, the concept of merging has the backing of both union presidents who have been holding a series of meetings with members around the country to discuss the topic.
While SAG represents 125,000 actors, AFTRA has a membership of 70,000 members that includes, besides actors, news broadcasters and recording artists. About 40,000 actors belong to both unions.
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.
