International
First film on killing of Osama to me aired on 4 November
MUMBAI: The first film, depicting the raid by US special forces to kill the world‘s most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden, will hit the American television airways on 4 November, 48 hours before the presidential polls.
Titled Seal Team Six, the film made by National Geographic Channel is all set for opening on 4 November, more than a month before the theatrical release of the much-awaited film by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow Zero Dark Thirty.
The film is directed by John Stockwell and produced by Nicolas Chartier and Weinstein. It stars Cam Gigandet, Anson Mount, Freddy Rodriquez and Xzibit.
“We wanted to be first to bring this story to viewers,” National Geographic Channels president Howard T Owens thas been quoted to have said. Owens, however said that the decision to debut the film days before the election wasn‘t motivated by politics.
Notwithstanding his comments, co-producer of the film Harvey Weinstein is a prominent fundraiser for President Barack Obama, whose election team has made the killing of Bin Laden his major re-election plank.
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.
