International
Hurricane Sandy wallops ship used in Pirates of the Caribbean
MUMBAI: HMS Bounty, the famous ship that was featured in Hollywood films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest has gone down with huge waves churned up by hurricane Sandy off the North Carolina coast.
Only 13 of the 16 people aboard got off the ship safely, initially, and only one of the three washed overboard made it into a raft, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Robert Parker has reportedly said.
The Bounty‘s longtime captain, Robin Walbridge remained missing as night approached yesterday, Lt Mike Patterson, a coast guard spokesman was reported as saying. The body of the second, deckhand Claudine Christian, was found yesterday evening.
The 180-foot, three-mast ship, a replica of the famous British vessel, foundered about 144 kilometres off North Carolina as Sandy‘s fury churned the Atlantic into 18-foot seas, its owner, Bob Hansen, told CNN affilliate KUSA.
Hansen said Walbridge was attempting to head east, away from the hurricane, when the ship began taking on water. “At that time it wasn‘t considered an emergency, even though they had several feet of water inside the boat,” he said.
The ship was built for the 1962 film version of Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando, and appeared in the 2006 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest.
It was once owned by America‘s Cup winner and CNN founder Ted Turner, who acquired it in 1986 along with the rights to the MGM film library.
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.
