International
This year, Barbara Streisand returns to Oscar stage after 36 years
MUMBAI: Two-time Oscar winner Barbara Streisand will perform at the upcoming Oscar ceremony on 24 February.
Streisand sung only once before during at the Academy Awards. She last sang the love theme from A Star Is Born in the 1977 show winning the best original song Oscar for Evergreen the same night.
“In an evening that celebrates the artistry of movies and music. How could the telecast be complete without Barbra Streisand? We are honored that she has agreed to do a very special performance on this year‘s Oscars, her first time singing on the show in 36 years,” said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
Streisand won her first Oscar for Best Actress in the Funny Girl in 1968 and was nominated again in 1973 for her spectacular performance in The Way We Were.
The Academy awards will take place on 24 February.
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.
