International
Asghar Farhadi wins Cannes prize to help fund next film
MUMBAI: Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who won this year‘s foreign-language picture Academy Award for his film A Separation, claimed a prize at Cannes to help fund his next film with fellow Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard.
Farhadi accepted the European Union‘s Prix Media with $77,000 cash award and later said that he would start filming the as-yet untitled picture starring Cotillard and fellow French actor Tahar Rahim later this year.
“At a time when some politicians are trying to transform the beautiful rainbow of cultural diversity in the world into a field of differences and confrontations, I see this distinction as a very encouraging sign,” Farhadi has been quoted to have said.
Cotillard, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of French torch singer Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, is appearing in this year‘s Cannes contender Rust and Bone directed by Jacques Audiard.
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.
