International
Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014
MUMBAI: Here’s the review of the seventh book in the 10-part series that features books being adapted into Hollywood movies in 2014.
The Maze Runner – James Dashner
Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You’re in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters and gardens with no way out.
Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids, who call themselves the Maze Runners, venture into the labyrinth, trying to map and figure out the ever-changing pattern of the walls in an attempt to find an exit from The Glade, a place to them that now feels far worse than hell. So far, no one has figured a way out of The Glade. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions falling victim to the maniacal Grievers (part animal and part mechanical killing machines).
Enter Thomas, the newest arrival to The Glade. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he’s unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. Heavily influenced by famous sci-fi teen fiction like Ender’s Game and Lord of the Flies, The Maze Runner takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through The Maze in this tale of survival, friendship and civilization.
On its arrival on the bookshelves, James Dashner’s The Maze Runner, book retailer Barnes & Noble included the book as part of its showcasing of new writers for the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010. According to Wikipedia, The Maze Runner spent a year on The New York Times Bestsellers List. The Maze Runner currently stands at 3.98/5 of 151,708 ratings on Goodreads.
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The live action motion picture adaptation of The Maze Runner stars Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf) as Thomas, Kaya Scodelario (Skins) as Teresa, Aml Ameen (Kidulthood) as Alby, Thomas Brodie Sangster (Game of Thrones) as Newt, and Will Poulter (We’re The Millers) as Gally and is directed by Wes Ball, who makes his full length feature film directorial debut with The Maze Runner with a screenplay by Noah Oppenheim (The Buried Life).
The Maze Runner will amaze Indian audiences 19 September 2014.
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.
