International
Jerry Bruckheimer hopes for a Lone Ranger franchise, Top Gun sequel
MUMBAI: The American film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer claimed his 30 year old endeavour to make a sequel of the successful Tom Cruise starrer Top Gun at the Produced By conference. The original 1986 movie directed by the late Tony Scott saw Tom Cruise as ‘Maverick‘ the rebel fighter jet pilot. Bruckheimer stated that the sequel would be done with Tom (Cruise) off course, who is still known as ‘Maverick‘ by many fans, while Paramount are still interested in the project too.
Commenting on his latest venture, Lone Ranger with the versatile star Jonny Depp, Bruckheimer said that he hopes Lone Ranger becomes a franchise with Depp and Armie Hammer, although nothing concrete has been decided yet. Leaving the ball to the audience he added, "If the audience likes the movie then Disney will come to me and we‘ll make another or it will be a one-off."
Revealing about the star Jonny Depp who is along with Bruckheimer, prepping a fifth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean for the studio, said that "Jonny often travels with his Captain Jack Sparrow costume and visits children‘s hospitals unannounced. He knows he is a very fortunate person and he wants to give back."
With Lone Ranger slated to release on July 4, Bruckheimer acknowledged the summer packed competition saying, "It‘s very hard this summer. You have to hold your seats; it‘s not the number of theatres but the number of seats. Warner Bros‘ Man of Steel is coming out this week and then next week another blockbuster will come out, if there is another blockbuster, and Superman will move to small theatres and someone else will get their seats," He noted that Warner Bros and Legendary‘s Pacific Rim is coming out the week after Lone Ranger and that worries him.
In the same context, Bruckheimer said Sunday that a lot of movies coming out at the same time can be a good thing. "I root for my competition to be successful because it increases the audience‘s appetite for watching movies," he added, noting that, in today‘s environment of so much good TV and other platforms, movies have to work hard to get people out of their homes.
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.
