International
Production of sequel of The Smurfs commences
MUMBAI: The shooting of Columbia Pictures‘ and Sony Pictures Animation‘s live-action/computer animated hybrid 3D family comedy The Smurfs 2 has commenced.
The sequel has the evil wizard Gargamel create a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world‘s greatest sorcerer.
It‘s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her. The rest forms the crux of the film.
Announcing the launch, Kerner said, “We‘ve brought the entire live-action and voice cast into the sequel. It‘s a real thrill to ‘get the Smurf village back together‘ for another adventure. The same holds true for the crew. We are so deep in talent we know a fine film will result. It‘s like visiting with old friends – just some slightly smaller than others.”
The film produced by Jordan Kerner and directed by Raja Gosnell and stars Neil Patrick Harris (Patrick Winslow), Jayma Mays (Grace Winslow), Sofia Vergara (Odile) and Hank Azaria (Gargamel). The film will have many crew members from the original film reuniting including DoP Phil Méheux, production designer Bill Boes, editor Sabrina Plisco, costume designer Rita Ryack and visual effects supervisor Richard R. Hoover. The film has visual effects and animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc.
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.
