International
Rome Fest explains pushing of dates move
MUMBAI: Brushing aside comments from Minister of Culture Lorenzo Ornaghi criticising the Rome festival authorities for pushing its dates within a week of that of the Turin Film Festival, the Rome Film Festival President Paolo Ferrari has sent the minister an explanation behind the festival‘s motives behind the move.
The seven-year-old event, now scheduled to take place from 9 to 17 November has angered the organizers of the Turin Film Festival that will be held between 23 November and 1 December. The short break between the two events is expected to drain media and sponsor interest away from Turin, feel the Turin fest organizers.
It may noted that on Monday last, Ornaghi had blasted Rome fest for acting “obstinately” saying that its decision to move its dates was “against the overall interests of Italian cinema.”A day later, Ferrari explained that Rome offered to give Turin space to promote its line-up during the Rome festival.
FThe Rome fest president also scoffed at the idea that the short break between Rome‘s close and Turin‘s open was necessarily problematic for the second festival, pointing to the short three-day break between the Montreal Film Festival in Canada thay will conclude this year on 3 September and the Toronto Film Festival that starts just three days later.
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.
