International
Mark Wahlberg, Ted to present at Oscars
MUMBAI: Actor Mark Wahlberg and his co-star in the film ‘Ted‘ who was a teddy bear will be presenters on the Oscar show, telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced.
Zadan and Meron said, “We are happy to make it possible for Mark and Ted to make their debut appearance on the Oscar stage. And we won‘t deny that Ted used his pull with our host to get himself the booking.”
‘Ted’ is now the highest-grossing R-rated original comedy of all time. Ted said, “I‘m excited to present an Oscar with Mark Wahlberg. I‘m spending the next month learning to pronounce ‘Quvenzhané.‘”
Wahlberg has twice been nominated for Academy Awards, in 2006 for his supporting role in ‘The Departed‘ and in 2010 as a producer of the best picture nominee ‘The Fighter‘.
Wahlberg and Ted join a list of previously announced Oscar performers including Adele, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand.
The Oscar Awards take place on 25 February 2013 and will air on Star Movies.
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.
