International
Warner Bros opens new film and TV studio in London
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. has formally opened its new film and TV studio in Leavesden, in the outskirts of London. Warner Bros. has filmed the Harry Potter series, Sherlock Holmes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Wrath of the Titans here, among others.
The Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is ‘the first of its kind to be built in the U.K. in 70 years‘ and secures the future of over a third of the dedicated major feature film production stage space in the UK. It will help further position the country as a center of filmmaking excellence.”
The Hollywood studio undertook a ?100 million ($155 million) revamp of the more than 250,000 square feet complex near Watford.
The stages range in size from 10,000 to 36,000 square feet and the space also offers a series of workshops. The facilities in the studio include one of the largest heated underwater filming tanks in Europe. And the site provides a 100 acre back-lot, one of the most extensive in Europe, which the company says can be adapted for any production needs.
The studio is also home to the recently opened Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, a walking tour that takes guests behind the scenes of the iconic Harry Potter movie series.
It may be of interest to know that Warner used to rent the studio space but then bought the facility in late 2010.
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.
