International
Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours closes London film fest
MUMBAI: The 2010 London Film Festival ended on Thursday with the European premiere of 127 Hours, Danny Boyle‘s retelling of the true story of a climber who cuts off his own arm to survive.
Starring James Franco as real-life survivor Aron Ralston, a majority portion of the film is set in a tight, claustrophobic space between rock faces and focuses on the mountaineer as he struggles to free his arm crushed under a boulder. As exhaustion and desperation set in throughout the five-day ordeal, the action builds towards the grisly point of no return.
Franco described the story as “an incredible example of human will.” He said that Boyle had pushed him hard to make his performance as authentic as possible. I didn‘t cut my own arm off. But Danny does like to push the boundaries a bit, or push his actors.”
The premiere brought down the curtain down on the annual festival that this year screened as many as 201 feature films and 112 shorts from 68 countries.
Boyle received a lifetime achievement award.
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.
