International
CineAsia trade show to honour Lotte Cinemas
MUMBAI: The annual CineAsia trade show will honour Lotte Cinemas with the DLP Cinema Marketing Achievement Award on 9 December at Hong Kong.
Seoul-based Lotte Cinema, that currently operates 62 multiplexes with 462 screens and 162 3D systems is in the midst of an expansion beyond the South Korean market.
The company has launched three multiplexes in Vietnam and its first China location, in the northeastern city of Shenyang, is scheduled to be open at the end of this year In 2011, it will expand its multiplex business with 17 new domestic locations and 14 foreign locations.
As China‘s box office boom continues, jumping over 80% in the first half of this year, the rapidly expanding exhibition sector sees a rush of new players coming into the market to compete.
To stay ahead, Lotte, in 2009, introduced the world‘s first robot cinema usher, called Ciromi, and gave its customer base a ticket-booking Smartphone application.
From their cinemas‘ free Wi-fi Internet zones, to their 13.1-channel sound systems and 4D auditoriums Lotte Cinemas is pioneering change in Korea‘s multiplex industry.
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.
