International
Vanesa Hudgens for Journey…sequel
MUMBAI: Vanessa Hudgens is most likely to play the female lead in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island the sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. The script of the film is losely based on Jules Verne‘s The Mysterious Island.
The film in which Josh Hutcherson is reprising his role as burgeoning explorer Sean Anderson will be directed by Brad Peyton. Dwayne Johnson will also be part of the film being produced by Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm.
The story has Hutcherson and Johnson forced to go a trip to a mythical and monstrous island to find his missing grandfather. Hudgens plays a Pacific Islander who gets swept into the adventure and end up falling for Hutcherson.
The film is scheduled to roll in late October in North Carolina and Hawaii.
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.
