International
Life of Pi would have been incomplete without 3D: Ang Lee
MUMBAI: Director Ang Lee has said that his latest offering Life of Pi would have been incomplete had it not been in 3D format.
“It may have been cheap in 2D, but the output would‘ve been unsatisfactory. Thanks to 3D, I managed to take this film beyond imagination and new possibilities,” Lee said when promoting his film.
To be released on 21 November, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Canadian writer Yann Martel. Its story tells the tale of a young boy named Pi, who is the only person to survive a sinking cargo ship. He finds himself on a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Bengal tiger.
Delhi-based Indian boy Suraj Sharma plays young Pi in the film while Tabu and Irrfan Khan feature in key roles.
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.
