International
Producers Guild Award creates history with a tie in Outstanding Picture category
MUMBAI: On Sunday, 19 January, the Producers Guild Awards (PGA) was announced at the Beverley Hilton with a major twist. For the first time in the 25 years of PGA history, two films have won the coveted statuette. Alfonso Cuaron’s space epic Gravity and the harrowing historical drama 12 Years a Slave shared the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures.
In the past week, 12 Years a Slave landed wins from the Golden Globes (drama film) and the Critics’ Choice Awards. American Hustle won the Globe (comedy film) and the SAG Ensemble prize.
Gravity has been hailed as an Oscar front-runner since its release with 10 Oscar nominations in its kitty. However, it had not scored any high-profile top prizes until Sunday. The PGA win is a giant leap for the film.
Frozen, Disney’s latest animated feature film which surpassed box office records worldwide, won the award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures. This does not come as a surprise since it also won a Golden Globe award in the same category.
On the television front, Breaking Bad won The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama, while Modern Family won The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy. The Michael Douglas and Matt Damon HBO movie, Behind the Candelabra won The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television.
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.
