International
Voters choose Harrison Ford to helm US in an entertaining poll
MUMBAI: With Barack Obama edging out Mitt Romney to become the US president for the second time, a survey commissioned by The Credits, a website sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America, asked voters which Hollywood president would they have voted for instead of Obama or Romney.
Harrison Ford‘s tough Air Force One Commander in Chief James Marshall came out on top with 23 per cent of the votes. Coming behind was Morgan Freeman as President Beck in Deep Impact. Bill Pullman‘s act of President Whitmore from Independence Day came in third with nine percent.
Though female candidates were put on the ballot, they didn‘t fare well. They took the last three places. They were Cherry Jones (Fox‘s 24), Geena Davis (ABC‘s Commander in Chief) and Mary McDonnell in SyFy‘s Battlestar Gallactica.
The survey also opened up the voting to any actor, not just those who had played a president. In this, Denzel Washington came on top followed by Morgan Freeman and a two-way tie for third place between Clint Eastwood and Harrison Ford. While both Eastwood and Ford were favoured by Romney supporters, the women heavily favoured Washington.
There was also a question about which fictional character would best lead the country during a zombie apocalypse.
Potential voters believed Samuel L. Jackson‘s experience in exterminating serpents in Snakes on a Plane would help him to deliver the nation from an undead plague. Milla Jovovich‘s character from the Resident Evil franchise came in at No. 2, while Tom Cruise‘s character from War of the Worlds rounded out the top three slots.
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.
