International
Alan Taylor set to direct Thor 2
MUMBAI: Marvel Studios has zeroed in on Alan Taylor to direct the second season of Thor titled Thor 2.
The studios picked Taylor from the short list to replace director Kenneth Branagh (director of the original) after he decided not to continue and Patty Jenkins who quit earlier this month, it is understood.
Taylor made most of his accomplishments on television, directing among others the episode of The Sopranos, Mad Men and Game of Thrones. He made a name as a feature film director in 1995‘s Palookaville.
Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman will again essay their roles as the titular character and his love interest respectively.
The recruitment of Taylor has put the movie back on track to meet its November 15, 2013 release date.
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.
