International
Jimmy Kimmel to host The Oscar Awards for a third time
Mumbai: Emmy Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the 95th Oscars. This is Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show. The announcements were made by executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner. Kimmel hosted back-to-back broadcasts in 2017 (the 89th Awards) and 2018 (the 90th Awards). Molly McNearney will serve as an executive producer. The 95th Oscars will air live on ABC in the US and in broadcast outlets in over 200 territories worldwide on Sunday, 12 March, 2023. In India, the show will air on Star Movies Live early in the morning on 13 March. It will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
“We’re super thrilled to have Jimmy score his hat trick on this global stage. We know he will be funny and ready for anything!”, said Weiss and Kirshner.
“Jimmy is the perfect host to help us recognise the incredible artists and films of our 95th Oscars. His love of movies, live TV expertise, and ability to connect with our global audiences will create an unforgettable experience for our millions of viewers worldwide. With Kimmel, Weiss, and Kirshner’s fresh perspective and masterful guidance, the Oscars will celebrate its rich 95-year history, the collaborative nature of moviemaking, and our diverse, dynamic, and deeply creative community of filmmakers,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang.
“Having Jimmy Kimmel return to host ‘The Oscars’ is a dream come true. As we see every night on his own show, Jimmy can handle anything with both heart and humor, and we know that he will deliver the laughs and celebratory moments that define the Oscars. We love being the home of Hollywood’s biggest night and can’t wait to toast the success of this year’s cinema and storytelling,” said ABC Entertainment, Hulu, and Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals president Craig Erwich.
“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honour or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said ‘no,’” said Kimmel.
Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and recently signed a three-year contract extension, making him one of the longest-running talk show hosts in American television history.
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.
