International
Singapore signs co-production deal with China
MUMBAI: Singapore struck its fourth film co-production deal with China on Friday. The signing took place as part of the 7th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Co-operation currently being held in Beijing.
China was represented by vice minister Zhang Pimin of China‘s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), while Singapore‘s parliamentary secretary for Trade and Industry and Information, Communications and the Arts, Sam Tan signed on behalf of his country.
The deal covers theatrical feature films and telemovies, across live-action, animation and documentaries. Qualifying films made under the agreement will be eligible for funding and incentives as do productions in their home country, and will similarly qualify as domestic films under censorship regimes in each nation.
SARFT will oversee the agreement on the Chinese side, while the Media Development Authority will supervise it for Singapore.
Singapore had earlier signed such co-production deals with Australia, Canada and New Zealand
France and China signed a co-production treaty in May but so far no films have gone into production under its terms.
Australia and China signed a co-production treaty in 2007 but only one feature has been made under that agreement, “Children of Huang Shi,” directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Chow Yun-fat and Jonathan Rhys-Myers.
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.
