Saiyami Kher makes international debut in Indo-Russian drama by Maksim Kuznetsov
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Saiyami Kher is set to make her international debut with an upcoming Indo-Russian drama directed by Maksim Kuznetsov, marking a significant cross-cultural milestone in her career. The film, shot across Russia and India, also marked Kher's first-ever visit to Russia.
Saiyami on the Experience
Speaking about the project, Saiyami said: 'This was a completely different and new experience for me, working with an entirely foreign crew. We shot in Russia, and it was my first time there.'
She described the Russian capital with warmth: 'Moscow was beautiful, and the overall film experience was incredible. The working atmosphere was very different from what I'm used to, and I really enjoyed being part of this collaboration. I hope this is the first of many more international projects to follow.'
What the Film Is About
Produced by Kartina Entertainment, White Night Films, and Wish Media, the project is described as a drama with a strong female lead at its core. Specific plot details remain under wraps, but Kher has hinted at a compelling, character-driven narrative that spans two distinct cinematic cultures.
She added: 'It's so much fun to work across borders and language barriers. Working across cultures gives you a different perspective on storytelling and allows you to learn from people who approach cinema in their own unique ways.'
Why This Marks a New Chapter
For Kher, the collaboration represents more than a career milestone — it reflects a broader, growing trend of Indian actors expanding into global productions beyond the traditional Bollywood-Hollywood axis. Co-productions between India and Russia remain relatively rare, making this project a notable creative experiment. 'It was a wonderful opportunity to experience — I'm grateful to have been part of it,' she said, noting it is 'still too early to share details about the film.'
Saiyami's Recent Work
Saiyami was most recently seen in Haiwaan, a neo-noir crime thriller co-written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan's own 2016 Malayalam film Oppam and features Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Saiyami Kher, with Mohanlal making a cameo appearance. Haiwaan notably reunited Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 18 years — their last collaboration being Tashan, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, which was widely reported as a significant box-office disappointment.
With the Indo-Russian drama now in the pipeline, all eyes will be on Kher's foray into international cinema once further details are officially unveiled.