International
Chinese capital to host 1st Intl. film fest
MUMBAI: Beijing will host its first ever international film festival. The inaugural Beijing International Film Festival, scheduled to go underway from 23 to 28 April, will screen hundred recently-produced Hollywood films for local moviegoers.
Among the films that would be screened are the Coen Brothers‘ True Grit and Danny Boyle‘s 127 Hours, Oscar favourites Black Swan and The Social Network among others.
Sixty Chinese-language films will add to the festival‘s screening panorama.
Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi have been named the image ambassadors for the festival.
The Chinese capital city, although being the nation‘s cultural center and base for many actors, does lack a major international film festival.
Earlier, stars travelled every year to Shanghai for the annual Shanghai International Film Festival that has been China‘s only A-category international film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
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.
