International
Toronto critics vote Tree of Life best film
MUMBAI: The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) has declared Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life as the best film of 2011. The director also received the best director trophy.
The closest competition came from Michel Hazanavicius‘ The Artist and Alexander Payne‘s The Descendants, both major award contendersthis year.
The Tree of Life, which stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, in the last week received best film honors from the San Fransisco and African-American film critics associations.
While Michael Shannon was voted as the best actor for Jeff Nichols‘ Take Shelter, Michelle Williams lapped up the best actress award for her role as Marilyn Monroe in Simon Curtis‘ My Week With Marilyn.
Christopher Plummer won for best supporting actor for his role in Mike Mills‘ Beginners while Jessica Chastain clinched the best supporting actress crown.
The TFCA award for best screenplay went to Moneyball (Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin), while the best foreign-language film honor was given to the late Chilean director Raul Ruiz for Mysteries of Lisbon. Patricio Guzman‘s Nostalgia for the Light won for best documentary feature.
British writer-director Joe Cornish‘s Attack the Block won the award for the best first feature while the best animated feature prize went to Steven Spielberg‘s The Adventures of Tintin.
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.
