International
Malayalam film Jallikattu is India’s official entry for Oscars 2021
NEW DELHI: Malayalam movie Jallikattu directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery has been selected as India’s official entry for the international feature film category at the 93rd Academy Awards, better known as Oscars.
Jallikattu was chosen out of 27 films across Hindi, Odiya, Marathi and other languages. The story is about a bull that escapes from a slaughterhouse in a hilly remote village and all the men of the village gathering to hunt down the animal. Some of the other movies in the race to be India’s entry for Oscars 2021 were The Disciple, Shakuntala Devi, Shikara, Gunjan Saxena, Chhapaak, AK vs AK, Gulabo Sitabo, Bhonsle, Chhalaang, Eeb Allay Ooo!, Check Post, Atkan Chatkan, Serious Men, Bulbbul, Kaamyaab, The Sky is Pink, Chintu ka Birthday and Bittersweet.
Film Federation of India chairman jury board and filmmaker Rahul Rawail heaped praise on the film’s theme, production quality and Lijo Jose Pellissery’s direction. He said, “It is a film which really brings out the raw side of human beings, that we are worse than animals. The film has been shot very well. The emotions which come out moved all of us. It’s a production that all of us should be proud of. Pellissery is an extremely competent director. That’s why we zeroed in on Jallikattu.”
Malayalam film 'Jallikattu' India's official entry at Oscars in International Feature Film category: Film Federation of India
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2020
Jallikattu had its premiere on 6 September 2019 at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim.
Pellissery also won the best director trophy at the 50th International Film Festival of India last year.
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.
