International
Russian studio mulls pact with Hollywood studio
MUMBAI: Glavkino, a newly-built studio located outside of Moscow, is looking at inking a strategic partnership with a Hollywood studio.
“We have been talking with Fox and Universal about possible cooperation,” said Studio boss Ilya Bachurin in a statement. “Even though Russia does not have any tax incentives, we are willing to adapt our prices to make this an interesting proposal for a studio.”
The studio has announced that a second phase of development worth $120 million would surpass $89 million invested last year.
The studio,the first newly built filmmaking complex on a greenfield site in Russia in more than 60 years, was launched in March with 12 stages that includes a 10,000-foot sound-stage that is Eastern Europe‘s biggest.
The second phase, in which offices, a hotel and post-production facilities will be built, is scheduled to be complete by late 2013.
Owned by a group of shareholders that includes Konstantin Ernst, head of Russia‘s main state television station Channel One, and film director and producer Fedor Bondarchuk, the studio is currently doing 70 per cent business with television companies.
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.
