International
Roger Moore tops with 7 James Bond portrayals
MUMBAI: As the 23rd James Bond movie Skyfall is midway in terms of shooting, we take stock of how many actors reprised the role of the secret agent and number of times.
While Roger Moore holds the record with seven potrayals of Agent 007 in films like Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to Kill, Sean Connery was one short of Moore‘s achievement (Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever).
Following is Pierce Brosnan with four portrayals (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day) while the current Bond, Daniel Craig is doing his third Bond film (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall).
But the franchise producer Michael G. Wilson wants Craig to take the record with eight Bond films.
At the bottom is Timothy Dalton who has played Bond twice (The Living Daylights, License to Kill) while George Lazenby played the action hero in just one movie On Her Majesty‘s Secret Service.
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.
