International
Hollywood films set to return to Indonesia
MUMBAI: After a five-month drought caused by a standoff over the country‘s tax on imported films, Hollywood films are set to return to Indonesian screens, with the final Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is being imported by a newly established local company and will be released before Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month that begins on 1 August,” said Djonny Sjafruddin, head of the Indonesian Cinema Companies Union.
The debut of Harry Potter and the other movies is made possible by the recent establishment of a new film importer, PT Omega Film, Sjarifuddin revealed. He however declined to give an exact release date.
“All things such as censorship and subtitles have already been finished,” Sjafruddin said. “We need some 90 copies and they are now under process.”
He also announced that Transformers 3 and Kung Fu Panda 2 would be released in the next few weeks.
The announcement signals relief for moviegoers forced for months to make do with local productions and second-tier foreign releases because of the protracted dispute between studios, film importers and the government.
In February, six major Hollywood studios withdrew films from Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation of 237 million people, in opposition to a new levy on imported movies that was meant to protect local filmmakers.
Last month the government announced a revised tax it said would bring back Hollywood movies, but their return had been blocked by another dispute.
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.
