International
Sean Penn gets Peace Summit award
MUMBAI: Sean Penn, actor and founder and CEO of J/P Haitian Relief Organization has been presented with the 2012 Peace Summit Award at the recently held 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
Said Honorary co-chair of the World Summit Host Committee Mayor Rahm Emanuel “Chicago is honored to be the first North American city to host the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and we look forward to welcoming distinguished guests from around the globe in April. The decision to host this event in Chicago reflects the profile of our city as an international leader in civic dialogue and community involvement. While the Summit is a global event, it will have a local impact and leave a lasting legacy on our city.”
Penn has been honoured for “making an outstanding contribution to international social justice and peace,” according to a press statement.
The three-day event was scheduled for April 23-25 in Chicago, IL, with eleven Nobel Peace Prize-winning individuals and nine Laureate organizations in attendance. Penn thanked the organization for its recognition of his efforts to assist the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and “his ongoing advocacy for peace and human rights protection worldwide.”
“IThis is an extraordinary honor in an extraordinary moment on Earth. I‘m very grateful,” said Penn.
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.
