International
Freida Pinto is part of DIFF international jury
MUMBAI: The Dubai International Film Festival has inducted Freida Pinto as part of its international jury. She will join names like Michael Apted, Kerry Fox, Bruno Barreto, Chang Dong Lee, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, and Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja as part of the jury.
The actress will be part of the judging panel for the short film competitions in the Muhr Arab, Muhr Asia Africa and Muhr Emirati categories, to be headed by film critic Mark Adams.
The Muhr Arab Documentary Jury will be led by British filmmaker Michael Apted who will be joined by Jordanian documentarian Azza El Hassan and Chris Fujiwara, artistic director of the Edinburgh international film festival (EIFF).
The filmmakers competing in the Muhr Arab Feature competition will be assessed by Brazilian director Bruno Barreto, who is also President of the Jury.
Assisting him will be Egyptian actor Asser Yassin, Tunisian film director Moufida Tlatli, Martin Schweighofer, CEO of the Austrian Film Commission and acclaimed author Adnan Madanat.
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.
