International
The Hobbit and Skyfall emerge winners at Jameson Empire Awards 2013
MUMBAI: The latest Bond film Skyfall and The Hobbit turned out to be the big winners at the Empire Awards 2013.
The Bond film beat Quentin Tarantino‘s Django Unchained and the third in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy The Dark Knight Rises to win the Best Film award, while Sam Mendes was named the best director.
On the other hand, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey won an award for the best Science-Fiction/Fantasy film.
In the acting category, Martin Freeman won the best actor award for his performance of Bilbo Baggins. He outscored Daniel Day-Lewis and Daniel Craig.
Helen Mirren and Mendes won the Empire Inspiration award.
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.
