International
Kodak-a notable absentee at Oscars
MUMBAI: This year‘s Oscars will see one significant absentee that of Kodak as the company is cancelling its naming contract on the Hollywood Theatre.
In the midst of bankruptcy, the Eastman Kodak company requested permission to cancel the contract in an effort to improve the company‘s financial situation.
It has been reported that the original $74 million deal signed in 2000 gives the company naming rights to the theatre. Kodak‘s advisors now say that the benefits of having the company‘s name on the 3,300-seat venue aren‘t living up to the cost of the contract.
Receiving court approval on Wednesday, Kodak is having a hard time justifying the $4 million annual cost of the 20-year contract. It is understood that the Motion Picture Academy has a say in the new sponsor of the Hollywood theatre if they choose to continue to host the event there.
In case if the Academy chooses to move to a new venue, they lose their say on the theatre‘s name.
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.
