International
Robert Redford leads star lineup at MIPCOM
MUMBAI: MIPCOM will be host to numerous international film and television stars for its 26th edition.
Topping the lineup is actor, director, producer, Robert Redford who will be attending this year’s event to celebrate the first anniversary of Sundance Channel in Europe.
As the founder of the channel, Redford will participate in a media question and answer session on 6 October during which he will discuss the expansion plans of the Sundance Channel.
Gene Simmons, star of Gene Simmons Family Jewels will deliver a keynote address with Bob DeBitteto, President & General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel, during the “How to Build an Entertainment Brand” MIPCOM conference.Simmons is a legendary rock god, multi-media magnate and renowned ladies man. Also attending the annual event is his partner, Shannon Tweed.
Cannes will also be witness to The Walking Dead brought by Fox International Channels (and Entertainment One) to MIPCOM. Executive producer Gale Anne Hurd , of The Terminator, Aliens, Armageddon and The Incredible Hulk and talent, Andrew Lincoln and Sarah Wayne Callies will be at MIPCOM to promote the series.
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.
