International
John Cusack to play radio personality Limbaugh in biopic
MUMBAI: High Fidelity star John Cusack is on course to developing a biopic about controversial US radio personality Rush Limbaugh. The 46-year-old will star as the conservative host in the film Rush (2014).
Cusack‘s casting as Limbaugh is quite surprising as the actor is widely known as an outspoken liberal while the radio host is famous for being a conservative.
Physically, the two also have almost nothing in common. While Cusack is slender and dark-haired, the 61-year-old Limbaugh is much older, balding and portly.
Betty Thomas, who will direct the film says that the production company is currently polishing the script and the production is set to kick off in 2013.
Limbaugh is one of the most provocative media figures in the US. His radio show, The Rush Limbaugh Show, is the highest-rated talk-radio program. He is also the most-listened-to talk show host with a weekly audience of 15 million.
The Missouri-born host often sparks controversy during his on air show. Recently, he mocked Republican New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, for having a “bromance” with US prez Barack Obama.
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.
