International
Bradley Cooper formally approached to play lance Armstrong in biopic
MUMBAI: Director J.J. Abrams has formally approached Bradley Cooper to star in a biopic on the rise and fall from grace of cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Abrams confirmed that he is considering Cooper for the role after the latter reached out to him via e-mail. Cooper sent me an e-mail and we have been talking,” contactmusic.com quoted Abrams as saying.
Sometime ago, Cooper had expressed his desire to portray the disgraced cyclist after he was stripped of his titles between 1999 and 2005 when it was revealed that he had taken performance-enhancing drugs.
“I would be interested in playing Armstrong. I think he is fascinating. What a fascinating character. I remember Matt Damon was going to do his autobiography at one point years ago,” Cooper had said in an interview.
Damon and Matthew McConaughey are also contenders to play the infamous cyclist in the project.
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.
