International
Founding member of ‘The Doors’ Ray Manzarek passes away at 74
MUMBAI: The co-founder and keyboard player of rock band ‘The Doors‘, Ray Manzarek, has left for heavenly abode after a long battle with cancer. He was 74.
The legend, who suffered from bile duct cancer – for many years, was surrounded by his wife Dorothy and brothers in hospital in Rosenheim, Germany, when he passed away.
The Doors‘ guitarist Robby Krieger said in a statement: "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today. I‘m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."
After the split of the band in 1973, Manzarek remained busy in its aftermath playing with artists including Iggy Pop and Echo and the Bunnymen.
Manzarek grew up in Chicago and moved to LA in 1962 to study film at UCLA, where he first met ‘Doors‘ singer Jim Morrison and later, they formed the band together.
Manzarek is survived by his wife, two brothers, a son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
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.
