International
Assange biopic to screen at Toronto fest on Saturday
MUMBAI: Audiences will get a sneak peek into Julian Assange‘s early life in the Australian TV film Underground: The Julian Assange Story, that would premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, 8th September.
The Australian TV film, that chronicles Assange`s life as a teenage computer hacker, will have the rare honour for an Australia made television film to be a part of an international film festival.
Newcomer Alex Williams plays Assange, with Rachel Griffiths, who plays the role of his activist mother Christine, Laura Wheelwright plays his girlfriend, and Anthony LaPaglia plays the cop who investigates the case.
The film written and directed by Robert Connolly, is based on the 1997 novel `Underground: Tales Of Hacking, Madness And Obsession On The Electronic Frontier` by Suelette Dreyfus.
Assange is currently holed up in the London embassy of Ecuador, which has granted him asylum. He is attempting to avoid arrest and subsequent extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over rape and sexual assault claims.
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.
