International
Turkish film Hayde Bre wins top Shanghai fest award
MUMBAI: Turkish film Hayde Bre won the Golden Goblet for best feature film, at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) that concluded on Sunday.
The Chinese film Mr. Tree won its director Han Jie the best director award and also the Jury Grand Prix award at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) that concluded on Sunday.
While the SIFF award for best screenplay went to Zhang Ming for The Young Man Sings Folk Songs in the Opposite Door, which also took home the best actress and the award for best music.
The award for best actor went to Sevket Emrulla in Hayde Bre.
While the award for best cinematography was bagged by Thai D.P. Tiwa Moeithaisong for his photography of Friday Killeram.
A gangster film paying tribute to Yuthlert Sippapak, which was directed by Quentin Tarantino took home the SIFF Jury Prize.
SIFF also awarded 10 winners in the event‘s inaugural cell phone short films competition that was launched to highlight a new media platform and provide young directors with international exposure.
Acclaimed Hong director Tsui Hark chaired the jury along with Chinese actress Zhao Tao and Thai film director Nonzee Nimibutr.
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.
