International
Chinese film bags top nomination honour at Asia Pacific awards
MUMBAI: A Chinese film Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock) about a family‘s struggle to deal with a devastating earthquake came out tops among 31 films that participated from 15 countries at the fourth annual 2010 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
The highest-grossing domestic film of all time in China, Tangshan dadizheng received six nominations including one for the best feature film.
The second most nominated film with four nominations was Shi (Poetry) by South Korean director Lee Chang-dong that his brother, Lee Joon-dong produced. The film, which took the best screenplay award at Cannes this year, deals with the story of a grandmother searching for meaning as she confronts the aftermath of a child‘s death.
Rounding out the five films nominated for best feature were, Mengjia (Monga), a gangster movie from Taiwan, a Turkish film Bal (Honey), the third film in director Semih Kaplanoglu‘s Yusuf trilogy and Paju from South Korea.
“As the Asia Pacific Screen Awards grow in stature and recognition across our vast region, we are delighted to have in the competition some of the most high profile films and filmmakers of contemporary cinema,” said APSA Chairman Des Power in a statement.
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.
