International
Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014
MUMBAI: Here’s the review of the fourth book in the 10-part series that features the books being adapted into Hollywood movies in the year 2014.
Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back – Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent
“I see it, so I believe it. Do you?”
In May 2011 Sony Pictures had acquired the film rights of the book Heaven Is for Real, which follows the true story of the Burpo family and the son Colton, who during his life-threatening illness and sudden surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven, from which he narrowly survives. Several months later while passing by the same hospital that saved him, Colton begins talking about his experiences during the surgery and making a trip to heaven. The family doesn’t know what to believe, but soon the evidence becomes clear.
Written in first-person narrative of Colton’s father, Todd Burpo, with New York Times best-selling author Lynn Vincent, Heaven Is for Real walks readers through the revelation of Colton’s trip, his parent’s initial uncertainties and the lessons learned by such a small child.
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Within three weeks of its November 2010 release, the book debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list. By January 2011, there were 200,000 copies in print, and the book hit #1 on the New York Times list. Currently, the book stands at 3.98/5 out of 111,494 ratings on Goodreads.
The live action feature film boasts an impressive cast lead with Little Miss Sunshine fame Greg Kinnear and Sherlock Holmes actress Kelly Reilly, along with Spiderman 3’s Thomas Haden Church and Emmy Award winning actress Margo Martindale (Justified, The Millers).
Heaven Is For Real blesses Indian theatres on 20 June.
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.
