International
CII to look at the big picture at Intl film fest
MUMBAI: At the 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), CII will organise a conference – India – The Big Picture.
The event takes place in Goa at The Marriott, from 23-24 November 2005.
Through a series of keynotes, panel discussions and case studies, leading national and international speakers will present growth opportunities and strategies to overcome challenges facing the Indian film industry. The conference will provide an opportunity to network with the key executives from the leading organisations in the business and the conference would focus on the content and financing aspects of the film business with individual sessions on film marketing, communication, co-production and new technologies.
Mahindra and Mahindra MD Anand Mahindra will deliver a keynote on the role entertainment sector has to play in India’ globalisation effort. Bollywood star Aamir Khan will dwell on different film genres and what should be made. Actor and dierctor Kamal Hassan will talk about The power of cinema in South India. Director Nagesh Kukunoor will take the audience through the process of making a successful low budget film. Shekhar Kapur who directed the Oscar winner Elizabeth will offer a perspective of Indian cinema and examine whether there is a need for change.
It goes without saying that there will be Hollywood experts in attendance as well. Entertainment Business Group CEO John Lee talks about processes that happen in Hollywood before a film is given the greenlight. Film distributors looking to tap the overseas market would be interested in Capitol Films MD Sharon Harel explaining what West expects from Indian films.
CII points out that the Indian film industry urgently requires long-term growth strategies to address deficiencies in its value chain and set its processes right as it goes global. This high level industry conference is meant for all interested in the business of films – creative, financiers, investors, distributors, sales agents, technology providers.
The conference’s culmination will merge with the opening of the International Film Festival of India on 24 November 2005 following with the Film Bazaar from 25-29 November 2005, the exhibition arm of IFFI, supported by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
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.
