International
Three writers sign on for next Bond pic
MUMBAI: Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have co-written the past four James Bond features, will be joined by Frost/Nixon scribe Peter Morgan on the latest installment of the franchise for MGM. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd. will produce.
The three writers will collaborate on the screenplay for the 23rd Bond film, which will once again star Daniel Craig as Agent 007. The triple hiring fits the pattern of the two most recent pictures, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, which saw Purvis and Wade drafting the initial script and Oscar-winning Crash writer-director Paul Haggis coming on to augment it.
MGM, which shared Royale and Solace with Sony, retains full control of the newest edition in the blockbuster franchise. Solace grossed $570 million worldwide, Royale $588 million. Start of production on Bond 23 has not yet been scheduled.
Purvis and Wade, who are represented by Endeavor and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates in the U.K., have written on The Italian Job, Johnny English and Plunkett & Macleane. They have an adaptation of John Le Carre‘s The Mission Song and the sequel The Brazilian Job that‘s in development.
On the other hand Morgan has written or co-written The Last King of Scotland, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen which earned him an Oscar nomination. His scripts for The Special Relationship and Hereafter are in development at HBO and DreamWorks, respectively.
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.
