International
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ steals a march at critics awards
MUMBAI: Kathryn Bigelow‘s ‘Zero Dark Thirty‘ about the hunt by the C.I.A. for Osama Bin Laden has picked up many critics awards.
It won best picture from the National Board of Review, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Boston Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Online.
The one critics group that awarded something else was the Los Angeles Film Critics Association which voted for the foreign film ‘Amour‘ as its best film. It also gave a much needed boost to ‘The Master‘ by naming Paul Thomas Anderson as best director. Bigelow was the runner up here.
Daniel Day Lewis has picked up a few awards for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg‘s biopic. But so far ‘Lincoln‘ has not been named best picture or by anybody apart from the National board of review which included it in its top 10. Their top 10 list had some surprises like ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower‘ getting in while films like ‘Life of Pi‘ were left out.
The Best actress Oscar is a fight between Jessica Chastain for ‘Zero Dark Thirty‘ and Jennifer Lawrence for ‘Silver Linings Playbook‘. Both have won critics awards. One surprise so far was Rachel Weisz winning best actor from the New York Film Critics Circle for ‘Deep Blue Sea‘. This week will be busy with the Screen Actors Guild announcing their nominees. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association will also be announcing their list of nominees for the Golden Globe Awards this week. The American Film Institute will also announce their list of top 10 movies of the year.
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.
