International
Ficci Frames makes a comeback with Ficci Frames Fast Track
Mumbai: Ficci Frames Fast Track 2022, a pre-cursor to the Ficci Frames which makes a comeback after the pandemic, is slated to be held on 27 & 28 September in Mumbai.
Ficci Frames, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci), is the country’s biggest international seminar for the media and entertainment industries, which spans across film, television, digital entertainment, animation, gaming and visual effects.
The theme of Ficci Frames Fast Track is the comeback after the pandemic. The two-day long conference will commemorate the industry which underwent the heat of COVID and has only emerged stronger. It seeks to bring the industry back to its feet and is raring to go.
Ficci assistant secretary general and head media & entertainment Leena Jaisani brought forth, “The idea is to bring together the industry under one roof and just celebrate the fact that we have not only survived the pandemic that affected people and industries world over, but also came together during that period to help and support people. Many studios and associations took the responsibility of vaccinating employees and their families.”
As OTT emerged as a very robust player during the pandemic, the focus this year will also be on OTT. The convention would discuss top trends, policies and regulations in the industry with various stakeholders including filmmakers, technicians, actors, heads of the film studios and representatives from exhibition sectors.
There will be dialogues and exchanges around what kind of a change has the pandemic triggered and what the future looks like for the media and entertainment sector. Conversations will also be around film tourism, IP rights and film incentives.
Ficci Frames Fast Track will also organise masterclasses and workshops around various aspects of filmmaking. This year, students from various schools and colleges will also get an opportunity to hear and learn from the leaders in the sector.
The celebrated and much loved actor, Ranveer Singh, would be inaugurating the event and shall be present for the opening session.
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.
