International
Continuing fall in co-productions creates a slump in UK filmdom
MUMBAI: It‘s quiet out there, too damn quiet as this year‘s first quarter for film production collapsed in on itself here, according to statistics from the UK Film Council.
Figures from the government-backed organization make for uncomfortable reading for indie producers with just 19 pictures with budgets over ?500,000 ($800,000) going into production in the first three months of 2009, compared to 31 in the same period last year.
The collapse in movies being made comes — according to the Council and indie observers alike — on the back of a continuing fall in co-productions here and a slump in movies backed overseas coming to the UK to shoot.
The research shows that only two co-productions mounted shoots in the first quarter, compared to seven in 2008.
But the factoids from inward investment projects — those titles which include pictures backed by the U.S. studios — will provide a fillip for those producers working with Hollywood.
While half the number of projects landed here in Q1 this year — just four compared to eight during 2008‘s first quarter — the combined U.K. spend of ?185.7 million ($300 million) this year outshone January to March‘s tally in 2008 of ?142.6 million.
The uptick in spend is down to big budget spends from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Ridley Scott‘s Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett starrer Robin Hood
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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.
