International
Tom Tykwer to adapt Dave Eggers ‘A Hologram for the King’ with Tom Hanks
MUMBAI: Cast Away veteran star Tom Hanks is teaming up with Tom Tykwer in a film adaption of the Dave Eggers novel A Hologram for the King. Hanks will reportedly star in it with Run Lola Run director Tykwer at the helm. Tykwer has also recently worked with Hanks wherein the former co-directed Cloud Atlas starring Hanks and Hally Berry in the lead.
The Dave Eggers‘ novel, A Hologram for the King was published last year by McSweeney‘s and became a National Book Award finalist.
The story revolves around a struggling businessman who, after failing in America, heads to a rising Saudi Arabian city for a last ditch attempt to stave off foreclosure, pay his daughter‘s college tuition, and do something memorable.
The film will be financially backed by X Filme Creative Pool producers Stefan Arndt, Uwe Schott and Tykwer, who are also teamed with Playtone partners Hanks and Gary Goetzman. While the financing has not yet been put together, CAA, which represents Hanks, Eggers and Tykwer, is under the process of arranging the finance.
Hanks and Tyker‘s previous collaboration Cloud Atlas saw Hanks taking over several roles. Hanks who is all set to fawn the audiences this October with his Paul Greengrass directed Captain Phillips wherein he plays the title role. The movie is slated to hit the theatres on October 11.
Following this, Hanks would also be seen stepping into the shoes of the legendary Walt Disney character in the John Lee Hancock directed Saving Mr. Banks which is set to go on floors in the middle of the Oscar season on December 20.
Hanks currently is starring on Broadway, playing an ace crime reporter Mike McAlary in the Nora Ephron play called Lucky Guy.
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.
