International
Nominations for EDA Awards announced
MUMBAI: The organizers of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists‘ 2011 AWFJ EDA Awards has been declared.
While The Artist leads the best film category, Woody Allen tops the table in the best director category. George Clooney and Viola Davis top the best actor and best actress category table for their role in The Descendants and The Help.
The ‘Best Film’ category also consists of films like The Descendants, Hugo, Melancholia and Midnight in Paris, the ‘Best Director’ category also comprises of Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist), Terrence Malick(Tree of Life), Alexander Payne ( The Descendants) and Martin Scorsese (Hugo).
Names of films in the ‘Best Animated Film’ category include Arthur Christmas, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, Rango and Tintin. Names in the ‘Best Actress’ category also include Kirsten Dunst (Justine in Melancholia), Meryl Streep (Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, Tilda Swinton (Eva Khatchadourian in We Need To Talk About Kevin) and Michelle Williams (Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn).
Also named in the ‘Best Actor’ category are: Jean Dujardin (George Valentin in The Artist), Michael Fassbinder ( Brandon Sullivan in Shame), Brad Pitt (Billy Beane in Moneyball) and Michael Shannon (Curtis in Take Shelter).
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.
