English
An Indian romantic drama could make history in Russia’s remote Sakha Republic, better known as Yakutia. Producer Vivek Singhania’s company Picture Perfect has signed a memorandum of understanding with local firms Saidam Baryl and Sakhafilm to explore shooting the film Weekend in the region. If the project moves forward, it would become the first Indian feature film ever shot in Yakutia.
A Landmark Deal Signed at Yakutsk Film Festival
The three-way agreement was signed during the 9th Yakutsk International Film Festival. Yakutia lies in Russia’s Far East and has developed a strong reputation for distinctive independent filmmaking. The region is now positioning itself as a destination for international productions.
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Weekend tells the story of two young people, Varun and Kaya, whose chance meeting leads to a life-changing weekend together. Producers originally developed the film around Indian locations. However, they are now considering a reworked version that incorporates Yakutia’s landscapes and culture.
Possible filming locations include the regional capital Yakutsk, the Lena River, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lena Pillars, and remote rural villages. The region’s summer white nights could also give the romance a visually distinctive quality.
“Yakutia offers landscapes, culture and visual possibilities that Indian audiences have rarely experienced on screen,” said Singhania, founder of Picture Perfect. “I believe this collaboration could open a new and exciting chapter between Indian cinema and the filmmakers of Yakutia.”
Roles and Responsibilities Under the Agreement
Under the proposed arrangement, Saidam Baryl and Sakhafilm would serve as the film’s principal local production partners. Picture Perfect will continue developing the project and seek Indian co-producers. Saidam Baryl will handle local production, creative adaptation and on-the-ground coordination. Meanwhile, Sakhafilm will contribute infrastructure, technical resources and access to filming locations.
Stepan Burnashev, filmmaker and head of Saidam Baryl, said international co-production is about more than bringing foreign crews to the region. “It is about creating meaningful creative partnerships and telling stories that connect with audiences across cultures,” he said. “India has one of the world’s largest film industries, and we see great potential in working together.”
Alexey Egorov, general director of Sakhafilm, added that the project could introduce Yakutia to millions of Indian moviegoers. “We hope this partnership will become a starting point for future collaborations between the film industries of India and Yakutia,” he said.
Tourism Potential and Next Steps
The partners also see potential tourism benefits. Singhania’s earlier films and web series featured locations across Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Thailand and Oman. According to the producer, those titles generated measurable travel interest among Indian viewers, with tourism boards reporting increased inquiries from fans.
Next steps include reworking the script for a Yakutia setting, assessing production requirements and securing financing. A location scout is under consideration for 2027. The MoU is non-binding, and key details such as budget, shooting schedule and co-production structure remain unresolved.
The deal also reflects a broader strategy by the Yakutsk festival to connect local filmmakers with international producers, particularly from Asia, and to promote the region as both a filming destination and a creative partner.
