International
Paramount Studios set for $700 mn makeover
MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures is in plans to have a $700 million upgrade of its Hollywood headquarters admeasuring 62 acres.
The studio, launched in 1926, is filing applications with the city of Los Angeles for what it has named the Hollywood Project, a 25-year plan to improve its existing studio lot and adjacent properties.
Most of the development will take place at the studio‘s main 56-acre plot that was created when Paramount bought the former RKO Studios from Desilu Productions in 1967.
Portions of the plot along Melrose and limited areas within the main production area are being targeted for development.
Paramount said it will reach out to the local community to offer information and answer questions about the project over the next several months. It said that the capital improvements will create nearly 7,300 jobs during construction and 12,600 jobs during operations with the project estimated to generate $3.1 billion in economic output annually.
Said Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey, "As the last major studio physically located in Hollywood, this project is fundamentally about maintaining a robust and healthy entertainment industry in Los Angeles, laying the long-term foundation to preserve and grow jobs and employment in the heart of the entertainment industry, as well as ensuring that the legacy and heritage of this iconic studio are protected for future generations."
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.
