International
Woody Allen’s latest has Cate Blanchet, Alec Baldwin
MUMBAI: Veteran film director Woody Allen has signed Blanchett, comedian Louis C.K. and actor Alec Baldwin for his next yet-to-be-titled project.
Allen has said that the film would be shot this summer in New York and San Francisco. Incidentally, the Oscar-winning director will use San Francisco as his backdrop for the first time since Take The Money And Run, his directorial debut in 1969.
The new project will also see the 76-year-old filmmaker return to American soil after having filmed his last three projects in London, Paris and Rome.
Although, details of the plot have not be given, the film‘s cast abounds of comedic and dramatic talent like British actress Sally Hawkins, Lost actor Michael Emerson and Green Lantern star Peter Sarsgaard.
Allen has helmed more than 40 films over a career spanning six decades.
His latest film To Rome With Love that stars him alongside Penelope Cruz and Jesse Eisenberg will hit US screens on 22 June.
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.
