International
Dinklage gets down and dirty as The Toxic Avenger
MUMBAI: Talk about a clean act gone gloriously messy! Peter Dinklage swaps thrones for toxins in The Toxic Avenger, which scrubs its way onto digital platforms in India this Halloween. The cult-classic reboot will be available for premium rental at Rs 499 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Youtube starting October 31.
The horror-comedy follows Winston Gooze, a mild-mannered janitor whose ordinary life takes a hazardous turn after a toxic accident transforms him into a monstrous yet oddly endearing hero, the so-called “Toxie.” What follows is a riotous blend of slime, satire and superhero chaos as he takes on corporate villains threatening his family and town.
Alongside Dinklage’s unlikely avenger are Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay and Taylour Paige, rounding out a cast as eclectic as the film’s tone. Directed and written by Macon Blair with Lloyd Kaufman and Joe Ritter, the film first turned heads at the Edinburgh Film Festival earlier this year before making its global theatrical rounds.
A cheeky nod to its 1984 cult predecessor, this reboot promises buckets of irreverence, a dash of gore and a surprising dose of heart. So grab your mop and your remote, it’s time to get gloriously toxic.
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.
