International
Academy to screen Spielberg’s ET as part of 30th anniversary of the film
MUMBAI: As a part of celebrating the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg‘s science-fiction masterpiece ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has arranged a special screening.
The Science and Technology Council of the Academy has teamed up with the Palo Alto International Film Festival (PAIFF) to present a screening of the 1992 release on 28 September at the Outdoor Festival Village Stage in Palo Alto, it is understood.
Termed as Spielberg‘s “most personal film” and considered by many as a benchmark in the science fiction genre, ET continues to delight audiences with its emotional story of the intense relationship between the young Elliott (Henry Thomas) and the lovable alien who is trying to return to his home planet.
The film, also starring Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote in prominent roles, was nominated for nine Academy Awards but won four.
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.
