International
Hybe brings K-pop to the big screen with Cine Fest Asia – four days, five mega acts, all fandoms
MUMBAI: Move over Marvel, K-pop is taking over the multiplex. Hybe and Trafalgar Releasing are lighting up 350 cinemas across Asia from July 10–13 with Hybe Cine Fest in Asia, the region’s biggest K-pop film event yet. Sponsored by Weverse, the four-day fiesta features five electric concert films and a sing-along session that promises to turn movie halls into mini stadiums.
Tickets go live June 4 at 8:00pm KST in most territories, with India, Japan and Korea following suit shortly. Fans can register and track updates on www.hybecinefest.com.
What’s playing on the K-pop big screen?
The festival is stacked with star power:
* BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E – A visual juggernaut from their 2020 online concert era, returning to engulf ARMY in cinematic scale.
* SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [BE THE SUN] – From Seoul to the Tokyo Dome, the boyband’s arena-roaring tour is reborn in Dolby glory.
* TOMORROW X TOGETHER ACT : SWEET MIRAGE – TXT’s dreamy, high-octane 2023 tour now has its own encore in cinemas.
* ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR [FATE] – From rookie to global sensation, ENGENEs get front-row seats to their meteoric rise.
* Hybe Cinema Noraebang – A karaoke-cinema crossover where fans belt out bangers from BTS, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, TWS and more.
Not just screenings – it’s an IRL K-fan party
With special zones in cities like Seoul (CGV Yongsan), Singapore (Shaw JEWEL), Manila (SM MOA), Bangkok (SF Central World), and Taipei (Vieshow Qsquare), fans can expect exclusive merch, photo ops, and surprises galore. India and Japan special location details are still under wraps.
Why now?
After clocking over 260,000 footfalls in Latin America last year, Hybe is ready to replicate the frenzy across Asia. And with cinemas still rebounding post-pandemic, K-pop might just be the new summer blockbuster formula.
Get your lightsticks ready – this July, the stage is cinematic.
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.
