International
Aus govt to give tax rebates of AUS$ 20 mn to Walt Disney
MUMBAI: The Australian government has agreed to offer Disney a locations rebate worth about AUS$20 million ($19.2 million) to shoot its remake of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo.
It is said that Disney executives will meet federal arts minister Simon Crean in Canberra on Thursday to finalise details of the incentive before the studio green lights the production. The minister has reportedly given government approval to the deal.
Disney location scouts are said to be considering the Village Roadshow Studios in Queensland, where Terra Nova was shot and Fox Studios in Sydney.
The remake of the 1954 Jules Verne classic which is being developed by David Fincher is expected to exceed the 2,000 local jobs created during the recent filming of The Wolverine that generated $80 million in local investment and contracted 850 local companies.
The Australian locations incentive currently gives a tax rebate of 16.5 per cent for foreign productions but the government provided The Wolverine with a 30 per cent incentive to shoot in the country last year in a one-off arrangement.
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.
