International
Cannes jury to have nine members headed by Pedro Almodovar
NEW DELHI: The renowned American actor and producer Will Smith and famous French composer Gabriel Yared are among the members of the jury for the 70th Festival de Cannes under the presidency of Spanish director, screenwriter and producer Pedro Almodóvar. The Jury will be made up of eight key figures from the seventh art – cinema – coming from all over the world.
Four women and four men will thus help Pedro Almodóvar select from among the films in competition. The winners will be announced on 28 May 2017 at the Closing Ceremony, following which the top award Palme d’or will be awarded in the presence of the winning team.
The other jury members are: German Director, Screenwriter and Producer Maren Ade; American actress and producer Jessica Chastain; Chinese actress and producer Fan Bingbing; French singer, actress, screenwriter and director Agnès Jaoui; South Korean Director, Screenwriter and Producer Park Chan-wook; and Italian Director and Screenwriter Paolo Sorrentino.
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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.
