International
Shirley MacLaine to receive AFI honour
MUMBAI: The American Film Institute (AFI) has selected Shirley MacLaine to receive its highest honour, the AFI Life Achievement Award that will be presented to her at a gala tribute on 7 June, next year, in Los Angeles.
Said AFI’s board of trustees chairman Howard Stringer, “Shirley MacLaine is a powerhouse of personality that has illuminated screens large and small across six decades.
From ingénue to screen legend, Shirley has entertained a global audience through song, dance, laughter and tears, and her career as writer, director and producer is even further evidence of her passion for the art form and her seemingly boundless talents.”
An Oscar winner in 1984 as best actress for her performance in Terms of Endearment, MacLaine made her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble With Harry in 1955. During the course of her career, she has earned six Academy Award nominations, six Emmy noms and seven Golden Globe Awards.
Synapse Films recently released brand-new remastered Blu-ray releases of James Glickenhaus’ The Exterminator, William Lustig’s Manic Cop, and Frank Henenlotter’s Frankenhooker with Tarantino-producer Lawrence Bender’s Intruder releasing this December.
Her latest film, Bernie had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June.
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.
