International
Signs of Hollywood, China teaming showing results
MUMBAI: The first signs of cooperation between Hollywood filmmakers and their Chinese counterparts are showing up.
In August, DreamWorks Animation, known for making animated hits like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda, officially launched its joint-venture with three Chinese media companies. The firm is scheduled to make the next installment in the Kung Fu Panda series and open a theme park in Shanghai.
At the same time, James Cameron, who successfully directed Avatar and Titanic, also made his entry into China when he co-founded Cameron Pace Group with China Film Group Corp. and they agreed to cooperate on a 3D documentary about the history of Beijing.
The JV structure allows Hollywood to gain entry to a market it sees as fast-growing. It also allows Hollywood studios and their Chinese counterparts to circumvent government rules limiting the number of foreign films that can be shown each year in the country.
In February, the State Administration of Radio Film and Television, the country‘s media watchdog, had averred that it would allow the number of foreign-made films allowed into the country this year to rise from 20 to 34.
More significantly, in the same month, Beijing signed an agreement with Washington that means films made by the JVs will not be counted against the quota.
In the first half of 2012, four of the five films that attracted 10 million ticket buyers were made in the US, the remaining being those from China.
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.
