International
Charlie Sheen to play US prez
MUMBAI: Charlie Sheen is in talks to play the US president in Machete Kills, the sequel of Machete.
Announcing the same on Twitter, director Rodriguez wrote, ” I just cast Charlie Sheen in #machetekills as the President of the United States! Who better? More soon…” . On his part, Sheen re-tweeted the message and is now heard that one of his representative has said that negotiations are taking place.
Rodriguez is currently in production of the film, which will again star Danny Trejo as Machete, Jessica Alba, Mel Gibson, Amber Heard, Sofia Vergara and Zoe Saldana.
The new story sees Machete being called upon by the US government to stop a cartel leader and an arms dealer who have a weapon in space. The broadly-written part initially called for the president to be African-American and have a basketball court on the White House lawn but has since been rewritten.
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.
