International
Release of Avatar 2 deferred to 2015
MUMBAI: The release of the sequel to Avatar titled Avatar 2 has been deferred to 2015. Director James Cameron is set to release the follow up to the 2009 fantasy film one year later than Fox executives had originally planned, it is understood.
Avatar 2 is set to be filmed in Peter Jackson‘s production studio in New Zealand. Cameron is said to have purchased 2,500 acres of farmland near Pounui, a 15-mintue helicopter ride from Peter‘s Wellington production studio, where he plans to shoot both Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 with motion-capture effects set to be done on a stage in California.
The filmmaker is expected to live in New Zealand for 18 months while he shoots the two follow up movies.
The sequel to Avatar is expected to see Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana reprise their roles in the movie.
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.
