International
Golden Apricot film fest ends on a rosy note
MUMBAI: The Golden Apricot International Film Festival ended in Armenian capital Yerevan on Sunday.
The festival, that was held from 11 to 18 July, had as many as 500 applications from around the world.
In the end, a total of 120 of these applications were selected for shows, including 45 films for participation on a competitive basis during the festival held July 11-18. Competion was held in three sections, with a five-member panel of international judges deciding which films to award prizes.
Turkish director Reha Erdem annexed the top award for his film Kosmos in the international feature film competition.
Russian director Pavel Kostomarov‘s film Together won an award for the Best International Documentary and in the Armenian Panorama Competition in which the prize-winning film was The Last Tightrope Performer in Armenia made by Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan.
The FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Jury Award went to Jasmila Zbanic for the film On the Path. The Ecumenical Jury Award was given to Suren Babayan for his film Don‘t Look in the Mirror.
The film festival was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia.
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.
