International
China-based Bona Film in talks with 4 Hollywood studios
MUMBAI: Chinese film distributor Bona Film Group Ltd. is in talks with four Hollywood studios for co-producing movies for international distribution.
“We hope to work with the larger studio houses … and we‘re having discussions with several,” Bona Film Group CEO Dong Yu has reportedly said. The studios that Bona is talking to include Universal Pictures, Sony Corp., Twentieth Century Fox and Viacom Inc.‘s Paramount Pictures.
If the talks materialise, the plans would represent an acceleration of Chinese-US film co-productions, which have typically been made on a one-off basis. Some of the studios in mention have entered joint ventures or co-productions with Chinese companies in recent months. Walt Disney Co., for instance, had partnered with China‘s DMG Entertainment to co-produce the next “Iron Man” film in China in April.
Last month, News Corp. had declared that it had bought a roughly 20 per cent stake in Bona but the deal didn‘t include any production agreement with Fox. Yu said that he would like to work with Fox as a “preferred partner” but Bona would be free to make deals with other studios.
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.
