International
PIFF off to a flying start
MUMBAI: The 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) that kicked off last Thursday with an outdoor screening of Chinese‘s director Zhang Yimou‘s Under the Hawthorn Tree will have the presence of an array of international film stars dazzled on the red carpet.
Yimou set the scene for the nine-day film fest, declaring that the event, “the largest and greatest festival in Asia, was one that gives filmmakers opportunities.
Organisers have an eclectic line-up of films and special events laid out for the more than 150,000 film lovers expected to attend before the festival closes on 15 October.
This year there are 13 films vying for the award from as far afield as Iraq and Vietnam. The New Currents award will be announced on 15 October.
Heading the jury is Japanese costume designer Emi Wada, 73, who won an Oscar for her work on Akira Kurosawa‘s Ran.
The festival was founded to promote Asia‘s vast independent filmmaking scene and it offers a main jury prize of 30,000 dollars – the New Currents award – to two first or second time Asian directors.
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.
