International
3D animated docu-fiction of Dalai Lama soon
MUMBAI: Lotus Productions and Integral Films will co-produce a 3D animated docu-fiction on the Dalai Lama that French director Jan Kounen will helm.
Initially titled The Secret History of the Dalai Lamas, the film has now been titled The Last Call. The film, based on a script by Jean-Claude Carriere, will be co-directed by Kounen and Anne Paris.
The Last Call that will focus on Tibetan culture and the history of the Dalai Lama through the times will feature real documentary footage and interviews with the current Dalai Lama plus fictionalised representations. The $4.9 million film will be shot in October and November this year.
Lotus Productions will also partner Integral Film on Heaven & Earth, the untold story of German pilot Erwin Dold, a prison camp commander of the Nazi Third Reich acquitted of charges after the war for his compassion for 5,000 prisoners.
Lotus is also in the pre-production stage on Capucine Henry‘s Shambhavi with Only Dreams India.
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.
