International
Tearful sendoff to Jackson
MUMBAI
The golden casket containing Jackson‘s body was placed in front of the stage at his memorial as a choir sang.
Several of Jackson‘s brothers, each wearing one sequined glove, served as pallbearers, carrying the coffin to the stage as the Andrae Crouch choir sang Soon and Very Soon.
But the most poignant moment was delivered by his sobbing 11-year-old daughter Paris Katherine who addressed mourners at the Staples Center last night, tearfully telling them her father was “the best father you could ever imagine.”
The girl spoke after Jackson‘s brothers Jermaine and Marlon bid tearful goodbyes to the King of Pop. “Michael, when you left us, a part of me went with you,” Marlon Jackson said. “And a part of you will live forever within me, but also a part of you will live forever within all of us.”
Jackson‘s band members, family, children and celebrities followed to sing Jackson‘s Heal the World.
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.
