International
MPAA lowers Bully rating
MUMBAI: Weeks after the film was embroiled in controversy that was to its own making, the MPAA has lowered the rating of Lee Hirsch‘s documentary Bully from an R to a PG-13, it is understood.
The decision came after three uses of the "f-word" were removed from the film. However, the scene that has been amid the controversy – the one that shows teen Alex Libby being bullied and harassed on a bus-has been left untouched and unedited.
The MPAA is also allowing the film to be released with the new rating before 90 days, which is the length of time their policy states a film must wait to be in theaters after a rating change "to avoid confusion or inconvenience for moviegoers."
Now, Bully‘s release will expand to 55 markets on 13 April with its new rating. It had opened last weekend in New York and Los Angeles without the MPAA rating.
The new rating also grants the schools, organizations and cities the opportunity to share the film as an educational tool.
Weinstein Co. had appealed the "R" earlier this year and sought a less-restrictive rating, but the MPAA refused to budge. Director Lee Hirsch could edit out the objectionable words, but has declined to make changes arguing the language is essential to the story.
The Weinstein Co. has decided to release the documentary without a US film rating after failing to persuade the Motion Picture Association of America to change to one that is less restrictive.
The MPAA, which represents Hollywood‘s major movie studios in governmental matters, rates films for content such as sex, violence and language to give audiences an idea of what will be in the movies they see.
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.
