International
53rd IFFI: 12 international and 3 India films to compete for Golden Peacock Award
Mumbai: The 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India is all set to begin from 20 to 28 November in Goa. During the festival, 15 films will compete for the coveted Golden Peacock at IFFI. The entertainment-packed line-up comprises 12 international and three Indian films that represent emerging trends in the aesthetics and politics of art.
Since the very first Golden Peacock was awarded in the third edition of IFFI, the prize has been among the most sought-after film awards in Asia.
The jury tasked with the impossible job of picking a winner this year comprises of Israeli writer and film director Nadav Lapid, American producer Jinko Gotoh, French film editor Pascale Chavance, French documentary filmmaker, film critic, and journalist Javier Angulo Barturen, and India’s very own film director Sudipto Sen.
The 12 international films include Perfect Number, Red Shoes, A Minor, No End, Mediterranean Fever, When the waves are gone, I have Electric Dreams, Cold as Marble, The Line, Seven Dogs, Maariya: The Ocean Angel, and Nezouh.
And in the thick of the competition this year, the three Indian movies that are running for this prominent award are The Kashmir Files, The Storyteller, and Kurangu Pedal.
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.
