New Delhi: A Bollywood-style musical comedy shot entirely in India is set to bring song, dance, and Russian humour to cinemas across Russia on 1 April 2026. “Persimmon of My Love” marks the first major Russian-Indian film collaboration since the Soviet era and the first Russian wide-release feature filmed from start to finish on Indian soil.&nbsp;More than 350 Indian and international crew members worked on set daily, with some crowd scenes featuring up to 1,000 people on screen, a scale that echoes classic Bollywood spectacles. The story follows two brothers separated in childhood, one an upright police officer, Ramash, and the other a charismatic criminal, Shamar. Their clash of justice, family secrets, romance, and adventure unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of a fictional Indian city called Khurmada.&nbsp;Popular Russian comedians Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan star as the brothers, with Karibidis also writing the screenplay. The supporting cast includes Adila Ragimova, Albina Kabalina, Artur Vakha and Sergey Rost. Indian choreographer Jay Kumar staged the dance sequences, while Russian composer Zurab Matua created the original soundtrack, including songs performed in Hindi.&nbsp;Filming took place in Mumbai’s bustling studios and the historic palaces and forts of Udaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, using real heritage sites to capture the film’s colourful visual world. Tina Kandelaki, Deputy General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding and Director of the TNT channel, which co-produced the film with MyWayStudio, said, “Russia and India have developed a strong partnership for decades, and culture has always played an important role in that relationship.”&nbsp;She explained, “This film shows how organically the creative traditions of the two countries can merge: Bollywood’s emotions and music and the Russian drama school.”&nbsp;Director Marius Weisberg, known for hits such as Love in the Big City&nbsp;and The Taming of the Shrew, praised the Indian crew’s speed and professionalism. “I was astonished by the professionalism and the speed at which the Bollywood teams worked. This is an enormous industry capable of handling the greatest production challenges,” he said.&nbsp;Karibidis, who also served as creative producer, added, “A strong story is key to any successful international project. Audiences can understand it regardless of their country or culture. We made sure that humour, emotions, and visual storytelling would resonate with audiences everywhere.”&nbsp;Producer Lika Blank described the project as “a new fairy tale created from scratch” about love, family, hope and light, told through music, humour and visual beauty. “It was important for us to honour Indian culture while creating an original international film,” she said.&nbsp;The production, backed by the Russian Cinema Fund and Indian partners including ASB Film Village, comes as cultural and economic ties between Russia and India, and within BRICS, continue to grow. Russian audiences, long familiar with Indian cinema from Soviet times, may find the blend of Bollywood spectacle, gentle self-irony, and Russian comedy a fresh and timely treat. Persimmon of My Love&nbsp;premieres in Moscow on 1 April.

Filming took place in Mumbai’s bustling studios and historic palaces and forts in Rajasthan, using real heritage sites. Director Marius Weisberg, known for hits such as Love in the Big City and The Taming of the Shrew, praised the Indian crew’s speed and professionalism.

New Delhi: A Bollywood-style musical comedy shot entirely in India is set to bring song, dance, and Russian humour to cinemas across Russia on 1 April 2026. “Persimmon of My Love” marks the first major Russian-Indian film collaboration since the Soviet era and the first Russian wide-release feature filmed from start to finish on Indian soil. More than 350 Indian and international crew members worked on set daily, with some crowd scenes featuring up to 1,000 people on screen, a scale that echoes classic Bollywood spectacles. The story follows two brothers separated in childhood, one an upright police officer, Ramash, and the other a charismatic criminal, Shamar. Their clash of justice, family secrets, romance, and adventure unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of a fictional Indian city called Khurmada. Popular Russian comedians Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan star as the brothers, with Karibidis also writing the screenplay. The supporting cast includes Adila Ragimova, Albina Kabalina, Artur Vakha and Sergey Rost. Indian choreographer Jay Kumar staged the dance sequences, while Russian composer Zurab Matua created the original soundtrack, including songs performed in Hindi. Filming took place in Mumbai’s bustling studios and the historic palaces and forts of Udaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, using real heritage sites to capture the film’s colourful visual world. Tina Kandelaki, Deputy General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding and Director of the TNT channel, which co-produced the film with MyWayStudio, said, “Russia and India have developed a strong partnership for decades, and culture has always played an important role in that relationship.” She explained, “This film shows how organically the creative traditions of the two countries can merge: Bollywood’s emotions and music and the Russian drama school.” Director Marius Weisberg, known for hits such as Love in the Big City and The Taming of the Shrew, praised the Indian crew’s speed and professionalism. “I was astonished by the professionalism and the speed at which the Bollywood teams worked. This is an enormous industry capable of handling the greatest production challenges,” he said. Karibidis, who also served as creative producer, added, “A strong story is key to any successful international project. Audiences can understand it regardless of their country or culture. We made sure that humour, emotions, and visual storytelling would resonate with audiences everywhere.” Producer Lika Blank described the project as “a new fairy tale created from scratch” about love, family, hope and light, told through music, humour and visual beauty. “It was important for us to honour Indian culture while creating an original international film,” she said. The production, backed by the Russian Cinema Fund and Indian partners including ASB Film Village, comes as cultural and economic ties between Russia and India, and within BRICS, continue to grow. Russian audiences, long familiar with Indian cinema from Soviet times, may find the blend of Bollywood spectacle, gentle self-irony, and Russian comedy a fresh and timely treat. Persimmon of My Love premieres in Moscow on 1 April.

Filming took place in Mumbai’s bustling studios and historic palaces and forts in Rajasthan, using real heritage sites. Director Marius Weisberg, known for hits such as Love in the Big City&nbsp;and The Taming of the Shrew, praised the Indian crew’s speed and professionalism.

First Russian film fully shot in India blends song, dance and brotherly drama

The Toronto International Film Festival said Thursday it was pausing all upcoming screenings of the controversial documentary Russians at War&nbsp;after receiving "significant threats."

"We have been made aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety," festival organizers said in a statement, pointing to reports it received "indicating potential activity in the coming days that pose significant risk."

"This is an unprecedented move for TIFF," read the statement, adding: "Given the severity of these concerns, we cannot proceed as planned."

Anastasia Trofimova first presented at the Venice Film Festival Russians at War,&nbsp;in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.

It was to have its North American premiere in Toronto on Friday, followed by additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday.

Both in Venice and Toronto it has sparked outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow's assault.

Canada's deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, deplored its screening in Toronto, saying "there can be no moral equivalency in our understanding of this conflict."

Canadian public broadcaster TVO, which had helped fund the documentary, pulled its support for the film and said it would not be airing it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-harvey-weinstein-indicted-on-new-sexual-assault-allegations-758247">Harvey Weinstein indicted in new sexual assault allegations</a>

Meanwhile, Ukraine's state film agency appealed to TIFF to drop the film, calling it "a dangerous tool for public opinion manipulation."

Trofimova has rejected the criticisms, telling AFP the Canada-France production is "an anti-war film" that shows "ordinary guys" who are fighting for Russia.

The soldiers depicted appear to have little idea of why they have been sent to the front, and are shown struggling to make Soviet-era weapons serviceable, with others chain-smoking cigarettes and downing shots of alcohol amid the deaths and wounds of their comrades.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/watch-singer-jon-bon-jovi-saves-woman-from-jumping-off-a-bridge-netizens-hail-the-singer-758089">Watch | Singer Jon Bon Jovi saves woman from jumping off a bridge, netizens hail singer</a>

Producer Sean Farnel said on X that the decision to cancel the screenings was "heartbreaking."&nbsp;

He blamed officials' public criticisms for having "incited the violent hate that has led to TIFF's painful decision to pause its presentation of Russians at War.'"

(This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WON audience.)

The Toronto International Film Festival said Thursday it was pausing all upcoming screenings of the controversial documentary Russians at War after receiving "significant threats.

The Toronto International Film Festival said Thursday it was pausing all upcoming screenings of the controversial documentary Russians at War after receiving "significant threats." "We have been made aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety," festival organizers said in a statement, pointing to reports it received "indicating potential activity in the coming days that pose significant risk." "This is an unprecedented move for TIFF," read the statement, adding: "Given the severity of these concerns, we cannot proceed as planned." Anastasia Trofimova first presented at the Venice Film Festival Russians at War, in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022. It was to have its North American premiere in Toronto on Friday, followed by additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday. Both in Venice and Toronto it has sparked outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow's assault. Canada's deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, deplored its screening in Toronto, saying "there can be no moral equivalency in our understanding of this conflict." Canadian public broadcaster TVO, which had helped fund the documentary, pulled its support for the film and said it would not be airing it. Also read: Harvey Weinstein indicted in new sexual assault allegations Meanwhile, Ukraine's state film agency appealed to TIFF to drop the film, calling it "a dangerous tool for public opinion manipulation." Trofimova has rejected the criticisms, telling AFP the Canada-France production is "an anti-war film" that shows "ordinary guys" who are fighting for Russia. The soldiers depicted appear to have little idea of why they have been sent to the front, and are shown struggling to make Soviet-era weapons serviceable, with others chain-smoking cigarettes and downing shots of alcohol amid the deaths and wounds of their comrades. Also read: Watch | Singer Jon Bon Jovi saves woman from jumping off a bridge, netizens hail singer Producer Sean Farnel said on X that the decision to cancel the screenings was "heartbreaking." He blamed officials' public criticisms for having "incited the violent hate that has led to TIFF's painful decision to pause its presentation of Russians at War.'" (This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WON audience.)

Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats

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First Russian film fully shot in India blends song, dance and brotherly drama

Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats