International
TV movie will examine Disney feud
MUMBAI: Two Blind Mikes. See how they run! Cable broadcaster Showtime in the US will make a television movie Two Blind Mikes. It examines the controversial and turbulent relationship between Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Mike Ovitz.
A report in Variety states that the film will examine the friendship that went sour from the time Ovitz was at Disney to the current courtroom battle.
Disney shareholders filed suit against the board of directors in 1997, alleging that they had hired and fired Ovitz without sufficient consideration of the financial impact. Trial proceedings are expected to conclude in the next couple of weeks although it could take months before the judge announces his decision.
Ovitz was hired as Disney president several years ago. He only managed to last a little over a year due to differences with Eisner. Ovitz walked off into the sunset with a cool $140 million no fault package settlement. Shareholders argue that Ovitz should have simply been fired.
Last month when the trial commenced, Eisner said that he was amused by Ovitz. One line of questioning in the shareholders litigation focusses on Ovitz’s expenses. The litigation suggests Ovitz’s tendency to spend was a problem from the start.
Talking about his relationship with Eisner at a court deposition last month Ovitz said, “I had a 25-year relationship with Michael Eisner. We spent an enormous amount of time together socially and professionally, I trusted him 1,000 per cent. I was this guy’s friend. But it all went downhill. I don’t understand how a guy could be with me so much and then write in a memo that he never sent to me that said I’m a liar, that I have a veracity issue, that I’m a psychopath. I can’t figure it out. I can’t figure it out.”
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.
