International
Berlusconi mulls own biopic
MUMBAI: Former Italian prime minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi has expressed his wish of a film be made about his life and needs to find the right director, it is reported.
Berlusconi, 75, made the announcement about his desire to make a film of his life on Tuesday, the 18th anniversary of his entry into Italian politics. He served as prime minister for only seven months back in 1995, but for the ten-year period ending last November, he was prime minister for all but 18 months.
Born into a middle class family, Berlusconi built Europe‘s largest media empire and became the most transformational Italian political leader since World War II. This makes his life colourful enough to entertain on the silver screen.
It wouldn‘t be the first film with Berlusconi as a subject. Nanni Moretti‘s Il Caimano (The Caiman) from 2006 which skewered Berlusconi appeared in competition in Cannes; Videocracy, a controversial documentary about Berlusconi‘s television empire from Erik Gandini, screened at the Venice Film Festival in 2009; and Silvio Forever, another critical documentary from Roberto Faenza, made its rounds last year.
Berlusconi would presumably pen the film adaptation of his life story.
One director who says he might be interested in making a Berlusconi film is well-known Italian funnyman Carlo Verdone, who bears a resemblance to the Italian leader.
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.
