International
Arbitrage to open Abu Dhabi Film Fest
Mumbai: Nicholas Jarecki‘s Arbitrage, that stars Richard Gere and Nate Parker, will open this year‘s Abu Dhabi Film Festival that runs from 11 to 20 October. The film, brought to the screen by Saudi film producer Mohammed Al Turki, is a thriller set against the backdrop of hedge fund manipulation.
Al Turki, Jarecki, Gere and Parker are all expected to be on hand for the red carpet event to herald the start of the festival, organizers said.
Now in its sixth year, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival will be staged at the Emirates Palace Hotel, one of Abu Dhabi‘s landmarks.?The festival aims to position the emirate event as a showcase for Arab cinema and a way of supporting emerging and established Arabic filmmakers.
“Abu Dhabi will once again be the center of attention for filmmakers and cinema lovers in the region and for followers of Arab cinema around the world,” said festival director Ali Al Jabri.
This is the first year the Abu Dhabi Film Festival will be presented under the management of twofour54 as part of the plan to strategically align the festival alongside Abu Dhabi‘s other media initiatives and related events that will reinforce Abu Dhabi as a creative hub for the region.
This year‘s festival includes a special program of Algerian films to mark the 50th anniversary of Algerian independence.
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.
