International
Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014
MUMBAI: Here’s the review of the sixth book in the 10-part series that features books being adapted into Hollywood movies in 2014.
‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth
What makes you different also makes you dangerous!
The future belongs to those who know where they belong. What if you don’t belong? What do you do when you don’t belong? What do they do when they know you don’t belong?
That is the life of Beatrice “Tris” Prior, who discovers that she is “divergent” – that she does not fit into any one “faction”. She soon uncovers a sinister plot brewing in her seemingly perfect society.
In a futuristic dystopian post-apocalyptic Chicago, people are divided into five distinct factions based on their personalities – Candor are the honest, Abnegation are the selfless, Dauntless are the brave, while Amity are the peaceful, and Erudite are the intelligent. When Tris discovers a conspiracy to destroy the Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late.
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Divergent has been extremely well received. It won Favourite Book of 2011 in the Goodreads Choice Awards 2011. The book currently stands at 4.37/5 of 590,875 ratings. Common Sense Media, a not for profit organization working towards improving lives, commented on Veronica Roth’s book by saying that it had deep messages about identity and controlling societies and that the plot was unstoppable and remarkably original. The book also won the Sakura Medal Contest.
The rights to the live-action, motion picture adaptation was bought by Summit Entertainment, an American film studio behind teenage blockbusters like The Twilight Saga and Step Up Revolution. The film directed by Neil Burger (Limitless) boasts an interesting cast led by Golden Globe Award nominee Shailene Woodley (The Descendents, The Fault in Our Stars) as the Divergent Tris, along with Theo James (Downton Abbey, Golden Boy) as Four, Maggie Q (Nikita) as Tori with Tony Goldwyn (Scandal) and Ashley Judd (Missing) as Andrew and Natalie Prior, Tris’ parents and Kate Winslet (Titanic, The Reader) as Jeannie Matthews, the film’s lead antagonist.
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.
