International
Columbia Pictures begins development on ‘Bad Teacher’ sequel
MUMBAI: Columbia Pictures is developing Bad Teacher 2, to be directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Justin Malen, it was announced today by Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. Jimmy Miller, Jake Kasdan, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky will produce the film, and Melvin Mar will be the executive producer. The project is being developed for Cameron Diaz to star in the film but no deal is yet set with the actress.
Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, “Bad Teacher was a hit not just in North America, but throughout the world. We‘re excited that Jake will be returning to develop and helm the sequel. We love Justin‘s take on the material – it hits all the notes that made the first film such a breakthrough hit and also takes the characters in a new direction that is fresh and fun.”
When it was released in 2011, Bad Teacher was a global hit taking in $216 million. It was also recently announced that Bad Teacher will be coming to CBS television next season in a half-hour series starring Ari Graynor. The Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Studios co-production received a 13-episode midseason order.
Columbia Pictures senior VP production Jonathan Kadin will oversee development of the project for the studio along with Minghella.
Jake Kasdan is in pre-production on Sony Pictures‘ Sex Tape, also starring Cameron Diaz, with Jason Segel. He most recently directed and executive produced episodes of the hit series New Girl. Kasdan made his feature film debut as writer and director of Zero Effect and also directed the pilots for the television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared;returning to feature films, he directed Orange County, wrote, directed and produced The TV Set, co-wrote and directed Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and directed and executive produced Bad Teacher.
Justin Malen‘s feature film screenplay Bastards was named on The Black List of one of the best unproduced screenplays in 2011. He also completed a rewrite of the comedy project The Manny for Red Wagon and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Malen is represented by Verve and H2F, and Eisenberg and Stupnitsky are repped by Mosaic and WME. Kasdan is represented by WME.
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.
