International
Harvey Weinstein mulls leaving MPAA
MUMBAI: Reacting to Motion Pictures Association of America‘s (MPAA) decision to upload the R rating given to Lee Hirsch‘s documentary Bully, Harvey Weinstein has said that he had no choice but to consider parting ways with the Association.
Said Weinstein said in a statement, “As of today, The Weinstein Co. is considering a leave of absence for the foreseeable future. We respect the MPAA and their process, but feel this time it has just been a bridge too far.”
Weinstein said that he is personally going to ask public figures and celebrities around the world–from First Lady Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga to the Duchess of Cambridge to help allow the movie to be seen without any restrictions.
However, it is not clear whether the Weinstein Co. that isn‘t an official member of the MPAA is mulling with the idea of no longer submitting its films to the ratings board.
The Classification and Ratings Administration has strict rules regarding language, which resulted in Bully, a documentary about schoolyard bullying, getting an R rating.
Bully was filmed over the course of the 2009/2010 school year and looks at how bullying has touched five kids and their families. The film also documents the responses of teachers and administrators to aggressive behaviours besides capturing a growing movement among parents and youths to change how bullying is handled in schools, in communities and in society as a whole.
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.
