International
Chinese govt snubs Christain Bale
MUMBAI: The Chinese government has snubbed Dark Knight star Christian Bale of creating a story when government-backed guards stopped him from visiting blind activist Chen Guangcheng ineastern China last week.
The government said that Bale should feel embarrassed for trying to visit a human rights activist while he was in China to promote a movie the country has submitted for an Oscar, a Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.
He said Bale was invited by director Zhang Yimou to attend the opening ceremony of the film The Flowers of War. “But he was not invited to create a story or shoot film in a certain village,” Liu observed. “I think if you want to make up news in China, you will not be welcome here.”
Bale, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for last year‘s The Fighter, said he wanted to shake Chen‘s hand and tell him “what an inspiration he is.”
Chen documented forced late-term abortions and sterilizations and other abuses by overzealous authorities trying to meet population control goals in his rural community.
He was later imprisoned for allegedly instigating an attack on government offices and organizing a group of people to disrupt traffic.
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.
