International
Books to read before they hit theatres in 2014
MUMBAI: Today, we kick off a 10-part series on the books that are being adapted into Hollywood movies in the Year 2014. Here’s the first one from the lot…
Vampire Academy – Richelle Mead
Higher Learning, Higher Stakes!
It’s time the Salvatore brothers took a backseat, for the students of St. Vladimir’s Academy are taking center stage in the upcoming big screen adaptation of the bestselling Vampire Academy series. The first book revolves around 17-year-old, Rosemarie “Rose” Hathaway, a half-human, half vampire Dhampir and her Romanian Moroi vampire best friend, Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir, who return to St. Vladimir’s Academy after being on the run for two years.
The characters are smart, simple and very funny. The story has the right amount of blood, action and Gossip Girl-ing to make the book unputdownable. It has stark amount of detail and research the author has done about the Romanian vampires while still maintaining the snarky and sarcastic gift of gab.
The book received positive reviews throughout most of the literary review mediums, with a Goodreads average of 4.20/5, based on 2,15,253 ratings. In June 2010, Michael Preger’s Preger Entertainment optioned the film rights to the Vampire Academy series.
Australian actress Lucy Fry (H2O: Just Add Water) plays the royal Moroi Lissa and Zoey Deutch (Beautiful Creatures, Ringer) plays her Dhampir guardian-in-training Rose, who soon starts to develop strong feelings for her Dhampir mentor Dimitri Belikov played by Danila Kozlovsky, in his first mainstream English film. The two best friends begin to realise that the threat of the Strigoi (bloodthirsty, undead vampires) is bigger than ever. The film is directed by Mark Waters, director of the hit Lindsay Lohan teen romedy, Mean Girls.
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Deepak Nayar, Owner & Producer, Kintop Pictures, one of the leading producers of the film said adapting bestselling young adult (YA) series into film franchises is not new, citing the example of Harry Potter. “Already having an existing audience, we expect the $10 million in book sales alone to turn into $100 million in ticket sales. We’ve made this film expecting a certain degree of longevity and success once made into a franchise.”
Vampire Academy stakes Indian theatres Valentine’s Day, 14 February.
(Watch out for the next one to add to your booklist…!)
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.
