International
Neeson’s Taken 3 is set for a February 2014 release
MUMBAI: Liam Neeson is all set to use his remarkable skills yet again in the third instalment of EuropaCorp‘s Taken 3 which is slated to go into production by February 2014. Reports confirm that Neeson has been roped in to for the role of Bryan Mills, the retired CIA agent at nearly $20 million.
Neeson who played Mills in the last two instalments of the franchise will join the original cast of Maggie Grace who played his daughter in the first two films, and Famke Janssen, who played his ex-wife.
As of yet, it is unconfirmed as who will helm the project but speculations reveal that Oliver Megaton may direct the third instalment as he helmed the last instalment (Taken 2). Luc Besson shall return as the writer for the movie with 20th Century Fox releasing it. Although story wise the sequel was not up to the original, the franchise did churn out well at the box office paving the way for the third instalment.
Taken 2 had cost around $45 million and grossed over $ 376 million as compared to the original Taken which grossed over $ 226 million.
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.
