International
The Ides of March to open Venice Film Fest
MUMBAI: The George Clooney-directed The Ides of March will open the 68th Venice Film Festival on 31 August.
Ides, based on Farragut North by Beau Willimon, stars Clooney as a governor with presidential ambitions, Ryan Gosling as his press spokesman and Paul Giamatti as a rival campaign manager. In addition to directing the film, Clooney wrote the screen adaptation with Grant Heslov and also served as one of the producers.
Clooney, who is expected to be present at the festival, will bring along the political drama. Two years ago, Clooney was there with The Men Who Stare at Goats, in which he starred. In 2005, he picked up a number of prizes for his Good Night, and Good Luck.
Sony is set to release the film on 7 October in America while Exclusive, that launched the film at last year’s American Film Market, is handling the international release of the film.
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.
