International
Brian De Palma to direct Al Pacino in next project
MUMBAI: Veteran director Brian De Palma is all set to realign with his Scarface actor Al Pacino for his upcoming project, a Joe Paterno biopic to be titled Happy Valley.
The story of the film to be produced by Edward R Pressman and Pacino`s manager Rick Nicita will be based on the bestselling book Paterno by Joe Posnanski while Dave McKenna will pen the script.
“Incidentally, Happy Valley will be only the third film that reunites Pacino and De Palma and I can`t think of a better duo to tell this story of a complex, intensely righteous man who was brought down by his own tragic flaw,” Pressman has been quoted to have said.
Joe Paterno is a former Penn State head football coach who became the winningest coach in the history of college football. He built a powerhouse football program that turns him into a campus deity.
The 72-year old Palma is best known for his suspense and crime thriller films such as Carrie, Mission: Impossible, Femme Fatale and The Black Dahlia among others.His most recent work was last year`s Passion that starred Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams.
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.
