International
PGA set to honour J J Abrams with Norman Lear Achievement award
MUMBAI: The Producers Guild of America (PGA) will honour producer-director J J Abrams with the 2013 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television, a statement from the PGA chairperson Michael De Luca said.
“J J Abrams has produced some of the most iconic and highest-rated television shows of the past decade and longer — series that have changed the landscape of television,” the statement read.
“His talent is astonishing, and through his commitment to ingenious storytelling, compelling characters and television programming of the highest quality, he truly lives up to this award‘s namesake,” it added.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to accept the Producers Guild Norman Lear Award, especially since Mr Lear is one of my true heroes,” said Abrams. “I feel privileged to be included among the prestigious list of past recipients and look forward to celebrating the work of my fellow producers in January,” the statement maintained.
Abrams is the founder and president of Bad Robot Productions, which he runs with his producing partner Bryan Burk. Formed in 2001, Bad Robot is partnered with Paramount and Warner Bros. and has produced films and television series such as Cloverfield, Star Trek, Morning Glory, Super 8, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, ABC‘s Alias and Lost, Fox‘s Fringe and CBS‘ Person of Interest. In 1998, he co-created his first television series, Felicity, with collaborator and longtime friend Matt Reeves.
Past recipients of the Norman Lear Award include Don Mischer in 2012, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, John Wells, Lorne Michaels, Bud Yorkin, Carsey-Werner-Mandabach, David L. Wolper, Don Hewitt, Garry K. Marshall, Aaron Spelling, Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley, Mark Burnett and Norman Lear.
The award will be presented at the annual PGA Awards ceremony on 26 January.
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.
