International
Pusan fest criticises Panahi arrest
MUMBAI: The Pusan International Film Festival, in a statement, has criticised the Iranian government‘s decision to sentence Jafar Panahi and his fellow filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof.
“We strongly believe that it is nothing but unjustified suppression of one of the greatest filmmakers in the world.”The Pusan International Film Festival is absolutely outraged,” the statement read.
Panahi‘s film The Circle deals with the discrimination of women in Iran, through the eyes of women released from prison. In another film, Offside, the director told a story of girls who have to disguise themselves to watch a football game.
Panahi‘s feature debut film The White Balloon won him a Camera d‘Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. He has also received other prestigious awards such as the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for The Circle and the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Offside.
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.
