International
Akunin det for Hollywood remake
MUMBAI: Akunin (Villain), that got actress Eri Fukatsu the best actress award at Montreal this month is set for a Hollywood remake.
Fukatsu was joined by co-star Satoshi Tsumabuki and director Sang-il Lee (“Hula Girls”) at a packed presser at the Foreign Correspondents‘ Club of Japan on Tuesday.
Fukatsu, best-known for the hugely successful Bayside Shakedown series will have Tsumabuki playing the murderous male lead. “I usually discuss what roles I‘ll take with my manager, but after reading the novel the film is based on, I just pursued the part by myself,” said Tsumabuki.
One of the film’s producers, Genki Kawamura, said that Akunin had been attracting a lot of overseas interest since Fukatsu’s triumph in Montreal. The film has already been sold to Hong Kong and Taiwan and the makers are now in final lap of negotiations for Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
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.
