International
Daniel Craig to reprise Bond at Olympics opening
MUMBAI: On the request of the Queen asking Daniel Craig and Danny Boyle to shoot a short film on the launch of the 2012 London Olympics, the 44-year old actor will open the games as James Bond.
The pair even earned themselves an invite to Buckingham Palace to shoot scenes in which the British spy hero is given his latest mission to open the games.
According to The Sun newspaper, the monarch may even make a cameo appearance before the action moves on to the Olympic stadium in Stratford which Craig parachutes into after jumping out of a helicopter.
It is said that the Buckingham Palace wanted the most iconic British film character inside the building most associated with London and with the monarch. It will be a magical scene for all watching at home and inside the stadium on 27 July.
A spokesman for the palace – which is gearing up for the Queen‘s Diamond Jubilee in June to mark her 60th year on the throne has reportedly said, “Buckingham Palace is involved in a number of filming projects during this special Jubilee year and we would not go into details of any particular project until nearer the time of transmission.”
Meanwhile, the James Bond franchise reaches its own milestone this year, having been on the big screen for 50 years.
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.
