International
Czech film and actress win Moscow fest awards
MUMBAI: Czech director Irena Pavlaskova‘s film Earthy Paradise for the Eyes won the FIPRESCI award at the Moscow International Film Festival while Czech actress Vilma Cibulkova who essays a role in the film won the festival‘s best actress award.
“If someone told me 15 years ago that I will play in a film about the Soviet occupation of my own country and that I will be awarded for it at the Moscow film festival, I would not believe it,” Cibulkova said while receiving the award.
The script for the film was written by Tereza Bouckova. Its main heroes are dissidents and Charter 77 human rights manifesto signatories. It was made in co-production with the Czech Television public broadcaster.
Bouckova is a daughter of Czech writer Pavel Kohout.
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.
