International
Hugh Jackman to play Blackbeard in the upcoming film Pan
MUMBAI: Hugh Jackman, the actor known for his portrayal of one the major classic X-Men characters in the X-Men and Wolverine movie franchise, has been signed on to play the role of the nefarious pirate Blackbeard in Warner Bros’ upcoming film on Peter Pan, based on J. M. Barrie’s classic character.
Pan, scheduled to be released in the US on 17 July 2015, is to be directed by Joe Wright (Anna Karenina, Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) with a screenplay by Jason Fuchs (Ice Age: Continental Drift) and is being produced by Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern, Arrow, The Tomorrow People), Eric Fellner (Rush, Les Misérables) and Paul Webster (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day).
Hugh Jackman, last seen in the psychological thriller Prisoners with Jake Gyllenhaal, will next be seen in Chappie, a sci-fi thriller directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9), and reprising the character of Wolverine in X-Men: Days of Future Past, which according to MTV, may be the last time he puts on the claws.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), X-Men: Days of Future Past will be released in India on 23 May 2014.
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.
