International
Anupam Kher’s Hollywood film gets People’s Choice Award
MUMBAI: Anupam Kher‘s well-applauded Hollywood film David Russell‘s Silver Linings Playbook has won the prestigious ‘People‘s Choice‘ award at the Toronto Film Festival.
Kher‘s role in Silver Linings Playbook is the most substantial role by an Indian actor in a Hollywood film. Taking things cool, Kher says, “I‘m not saying anything about my role. I neither want to raise expectations of my audience back home nor play down my part. I know what it is. And I am very happy.”
“The profile of my part is what matters. I could be in Woody Allen‘s You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger or I could be in Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum. I enjoyed doing both. I‘ve done more than 450 films so far. I was only 26 when I played a 67-year old man in Saaraansh. From then on, I have tried to break the mould in Indian films. No one has helped me get where I am. I did it on my own, fearlessly.”
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.
