International
Tokyo fest to honour Bruce Lee
MUMBAI: The 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival will honour Hong Kong actor Bruce Lee, credited for making kung fu films popular. The festival will hold a retrospective of some of Lee‘s most famous titles.
Thirty years after his death, Lee remains a legendary figure in the worlds of both martial arts and film, the organizers of the festival said. Best known for his role in Enter the Dragon that was released after his death in 1973, Lee still continues to inspire modern movie makers.
“The 70th Anniversary: Bruce Lee to the Future” tribute will be part of the Winds of Asia Middle-East section at the festival, which opens at the main Roppongi Hills venue on 23 October.
The retrospective will include a screening of the rare version of Game of Death that was distributed in Japan in 1978, as well a number of films that pay tribute to Lee, including the 2010 kung fu comedy Gallants, directed by Derek Kwok, and the Vietnam film The Legend is Alive, by Luu Huynh Luu.
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.
