International
Mexican cinema takes pride at Munich film festival
MUMBAI: Mexican cinema took pride of place at this year‘s Munich International Film Festival, with Amat Escalante‘s drug drama Heli adding the festival‘s Arri/Osram best international film honor to his best director‘s win in Cannes and his fellow countryman Sebastian Hofmann taking the CineVision prize for his debut, the horror tale Halley. The CineVision award, meant to honor cinematic innovation, was also presented, ex aequo, to Slovakian director Mira Fornay for his second feature film, My Dog Killer.
In the German film section, Jakob Lass‘ feature film debut, Love Steaks, a romantic comedy about a couple who fall in love at a health spa, swept the Forderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino honors, winning best director, best screenplay (Lass with co-writers Timon Schappi, Ines Schiller and Nico Woche), best production (for producer Golo Schultz) and best acting honors for stars Lana Cooper and Franz Rogowski.
German director Fatima Geza Abdollahyan also took home multiple honors for his documentary, Freedom Bus, a look at Egypt ahead of the 2011 elections. The film won Munich audience award as well as the One Future Prize presented by Munich‘s Interfilm Academy.
The CineVision award, meant to honor cinematic innovation, was also presented, ex aequo, to Slovakian director Mira Fornay for his second feature film, My Dog Killer.
In the German film section, Jakob Lass‘ feature film debut, Love Steaks, a romantic comedy about a couple who fall in love at a health spa, swept the Forderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino honors, winning best director, best screenplay (Lass with co-writers Timon Schappi, Ines Schiller and Nico Woche), best production (for producer Golo Schultz) and best acting honors for stars Lana Cooper and Franz Rogowski.
German director Fatima Geza Abdollahyan also took home multiple honors for his documentary, Freedom Bus, a look at Egypt ahead of the 2011 elections. The film won Munich audience award as well as the One Future Prize presented by Munich‘s Interfilm Academy.
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.
