International
Tree of Life bags top honours at Cannes
MUMBAI: Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life won the Palme d‘Or for best picture on the concluding day of the 2011 edition of the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.
Other winners are: The Grand Prix runner-up prize went to the Turkish film Once Upon A Time In Anatolia and the Belgium film The Kid With A Bike.
While Dannish Nicolas Winding Refn took home the best director award for Drive, the best screenplay award was bagged by Joseph Cedar (Israel) for Footnote.
American actress Kirsten Dunst won the best actress award for Melancholia, the best actor award was bagged by French actor Jean Dujardin for The Artist.
While the French film Polisse directed by Maiwenn was given the jury award, the Argentine film Las Acacias directed by Pablo Giorgelli won the Camera d‘Or (Golden Camera) for best first feature.
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.
