International
Ice hockey movie opens Toronto fest
MUMBAI: Score: A Hockey Musical, opened the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday.
The festival, seen as a starting point in the race for the Oscars, raised the ire of the local arts community last year when it ditched its tradition of showcasing a Canadian film on opening night and chose British evolutionist drama Creation.
This year the pendulum has swung back with equal force with a hokey musical about Canada‘s favourite sport Hockey on skates as the festival‘s gala opening show. The inclusion of Score has also sparked a debate over giving low-brow subject matter such plum placement.
The audience, some wearing hockey jerseys, clearly enjoyed the campy film as they hooted and hollered through key scenes.
Directed by Toronto-born filmmaker Michael McGowan, Score stars Olivia Newton-John. Walter Gretzky, father of hockey‘s Great One, Wayne Gretzky and former hockey player Theo Fleury make interesting cameos.
McGowan previously screened two other critically acclaimed films at the Toronto fest, Saint Ralph and One Week.
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.
