International
Francis Lawrence discusses potential Hunger Games prequel with fan-favorite characters
Mumbai: Is there going to be a prequel to a prequel? After building a billion-dollar franchise, it comes as no surprise that Francis Lawrence, the director of the cult-favorite The Hunger Games knows exactly what the fans want. From prequels around Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Haymitch’s (Woody Harrelson) games to a possible sixth film, the pleas are heard by both the filmmaker and the author, Suzzane Collins. With The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes set to release worldwide on 17 November, the excitement around is palpable. As audiences gear up to witness the rise of the tyrannical President Snow, the odds just might be in their favor!
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Francis Lawrence opened up about the possibility of a prequel, he said, “If Suzanne has another thematic idea that she feels fits into the world of Panem — whether that’s with new people [or] familiar characters [like] Finnick, Haymitch, whoever — I’d be really interested in looking at it and being a part of it. But I don’t have any pull of just going, ‘I would love to do Finnick’s games.’ He’s a great character, but what’s the thematic underpinnings that make it worth telling and relevant?”
Comparing Katniss and Snow’s love stories, Lawrence also said in the same interview, “[Katniss’] draw to Peeta is this shared trauma. You go through an experience together and feel more understood by that person than anybody else. It’s the same here. There’s this mutual need [between Coriolanus and Lucy]. He needs her to win and survive so he wins. She needs him to help her win and survive so she survives. There’s manipulation on both sides.”
Lionsgate and PVRINOX Pictures will release The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in theaters in India on 17 November 2023.
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.
