International
Toronto fest unveils names of 28 docs
MUMBAI: The Toronto International Film Festival, due to be held from 9 to 19 September has unveiled 24 documentaries that will be screened at the fest.
The films include works of filmmakers like Werner Herzog in 3D, Alex Gibney and a collaboration with ‘The Boss.‘ The films expose issues like the banking crisis, war in Afghanistan and the future of energy among others.
The fest will have the world premiere of The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town with Bruce Springsteen attending. Grammy- and Emmy winner Thom Zimny will chronicle the creative process through the making of Springsteen‘s fourth album in 1978.
Werner Herzog‘s Cave of Forgotten Dreams in 3D, that shows the oldest known images created by humans from within the Chauvet caves of southern France will also have a world premiere.
Other films to be show at the fest include Errol Morris (The Fog of War, The Thin Blue Line),Kim Longinotto’s Pink Saris, Bjorn Lomborg’s Cool It, Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer by Alex Gibney. The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical,
Inside Job and Armadillo by Denmark‘s Janus Metz.
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.
