International
Britain’s rail network partners with YRF to mark twin anniversaries
MUMBAI: Britain’s railway system and Yash Raj Films (YRF) have announced a cultural partnership celebrating the railway’s bicentenary and the 30th anniversary of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) in 2025.
The collaboration centres on Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, premiering at Manchester Opera House on 29 May. The English-language production reimagines the 1995 Bollywood blockbuster, which featured iconic scenes at London’s King’s Cross Railway Station with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
Director Aditya Chopra, who helmed the original film, leads the musical adaptation about a British Indian woman whose arranged marriage plans are complicated by her romance with a British man. The production features 18 original English songs by Indian composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, with book and lyrics by Mean Girls veteran Nell Benjamin.
The creative team includes Broadway stalwarts Rob Ashford as choreographer, Derek McLane as scenic designer, and Indian dance specialist Shruti Merchant, with David Grindrod handling casting.
Railway 200 executive director Suzanne Donnelly highlighted the railway’s role in shaping cultural narratives, while YRF chief executive officer Akshaye Widhani emphasised the production’s message of unity and diversity.
The musical runs through 21 June, with special events planned at Manchester and London railway stations. The original DDLJ continues its record-breaking run in Mumbai, where it has played continuously since 1995.
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.
