International
Antonio Banderas making love story with wife
MUMBAI: Donning the director`s hat for a third time, Antonio Banderas is all set to direct a love story titled Akil that will star his wife Melanie Griffith.
The 52-year-old actor producer will make Akil under the banner of his production house Green Moonbased in Malaga, Spainit is understood.
Akil takes its title from the name of an African boy who reaches Spain in a small boat. Fleeing from the police, he takes shelter in the house of an American woman. The makers are searching for a boy who would play the character.
“This is a love story between two completely different people — in age, attitude, religion, wealth — who end up being essential to each other,” Banderas has been quoted to have said.
“My country, Spain, is in tremendous financial crisis. It`s very difficult to obtain funds to make a movie. I have conceived `Akil` so as not to depend on third-party funding,” he added.
The shooting of the film depend on Banderas‘ other commitments in 2013. He has earlier directed Crazy in Alabama and Summer Rain.
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.
