International
Lionsgate drops new trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Mumbai: The games have begun and are already in full swing! Lionsgate has just offered a glimpse into the dystopian world of Panem with a brand new trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blythe, Hunter Schafer along with Oscar winners Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, the trailer delves into the early life of President Snow and has sent fans all across the globe in a frenzy. Following an unlikely love story between Lucy Gray Baird and a young Coriolanus Snow during the 10th Annual Hunger Games, the trailer gives a much awaited insight into the upcoming film. From menacing villains to innocent lovebirds, fans can prepare for a prequel like never before as they unravel ghastly secrets from the coveted franchise.
Lionsgate and PVRINOX Pictures will release The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in theaters in India on 17 November 2023.
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.
