International
Sony Pictures acquires rights to Jacques Audiard’s Rust & Bone
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American, Latin American and Eastern European rights to Jacques Audiard‘s directorial venture Rust & Bone from Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams.
The film, which recently wrapped production, was co-written by Jacques Audiard and Thomas Bidegain and adapted from the acclaimed book of short stories by Craig Davidson.
Just as he did with the prison genre in A Prophet, Jacques Audiard will renew the love story with Rust & Bone.
Rust & Bone stars Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard (Midnight in Paris) and Matthias Schoenarts (Bullhead), and is produced by Pascal Caucheteux, who SPC had previously worked with on the features, Of Gods & Men and A Prophet.
“Jacques Audiard is one of Europe‘s finest directors, and the same goes for producer Pascal Caucheteux. We are thrilled to be working with them, and Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams, once again,” said Sony Pictures Classics.
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.
