Indian production company Picture Perfect, headed by producer Vivek Singhania, has signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sakha filmmaker Stepan Burnashev’s Saidam Baryl and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)’s state film company Sakhafilm to explore the development and production of the Bollywood romantic drama “Weekend” in Yakutia.
The agreement, signed on November 5 during the 9th Yakutsk International Film Festival, marks a potential new collaboration between the Indian film industry and the cinema of the Sakha Republic, a region of Russia’s Far East that has attracted increasing international attention for its independent filmmaking scene. Should the project move forward, “Weekend” could become the first Indian feature film shot in Yakutia.
The romantic drama follows Varun and Kaya, two young people whose unexpected encounter leads to a life-changing weekend. Initially developed with locations in India, the project is now being considered for an adaptation that would incorporate Yakutia’s landscapes, environment, and cultural identity.
Potential filming locations include the regional capital of Yakutsk, the Lena River, the UNESCO-listed Lena Pillars, and remote rural communities. The region’s summer white nights are also being considered as a distinctive visual backdrop for the production.
Beyond its striking natural environment, Yakutia offers an established filmmaking community, with local directors and production companies increasingly attracting attention on the international festival circuit. The proposed collaboration aims to combine Indian filmmaking expertise with Sakha creative talent, technical resources, and production infrastructure.
Vivek Singhania, producer and founder of Picture Perfect, commented:
“Indian cinema has always had the power to take audiences to extraordinary destinations. Yakutia offers landscapes, culture and visual possibilities that Indian audiences have rarely experienced on screen. We are excited to explore how Weekend could bring these two worlds together through a story with universal emotional appeal. I believe this collaboration could open a new and exciting chapter between Indian cinema and the filmmakers of Yakutia.”
Stepan Burnashev, filmmaker, producer and Executive Director of the Sakha Filmmakers Association, emphasized the importance of establishing meaningful creative partnerships rather than simply attracting international productions to the region.
“For us, international co-production is not simply about bringing foreign film crews to Yakutia. It is about creating meaningful creative partnerships, exchanging experience and telling stories that can connect with audiences across cultures. India has one of the world’s largest and most influential film industries, and we see great potential in working together. Weekend could become an important first step toward a long-term relationship between our film communities.”
Alexey Egorov, General Director of Sakhafilm, also highlighted the opportunities the project could create for the local film industry.
“Yakutia has developed a distinctive film industry with talented filmmakers, experienced crews and unique production locations. We see international collaboration as an important opportunity for its further growth. The possibility of bringing an Indian feature film to Yakutia is particularly exciting, as it could open new opportunities for our local professionals and introduce our region 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.”
A New Chapter for Indian and Sakha Cinema
Under the proposed arrangement, Saidam Baryl and Sakhafilm would serve as the principal local production partners for “Weekend”.
Picture Perfect will explore the project’s further development and potential Indian production partnerships, while Saidam Baryl will focus on local production opportunities, creative adaptation, and coordination in Yakutia. Sakhafilm will examine the possibility of supporting the film through its technical resources, production infrastructure, local expertise, and access to filming locations.
Such a collaboration could provide Sakha filmmakers and production crews with opportunities to participate in an international feature while introducing Indian cinema to a region whose landscapes and filmmaking culture remain relatively unfamiliar to its audiences.
The partners are also exploring the project’s potential impact on tourism. Singhania’s previous films and web series have featured international locations including Germany, London, Paris, Dublin, Bangkok, and Muscat. According to the producer, these productions have generated interest among Indian audiences and the Indian diaspora in visiting destinations featured on screen.
The filmmakers hope that “Weekend” could similarly increase Yakutia’s international visibility, introducing its natural attractions and culture to new audiences while potentially creating opportunities for local tourism businesses.
Discussions between Singhania and Burnashev began earlier in 2026, culminating in a formal Letter of Interest issued by Picture Perfect in June. The newly signed agreement brings Sakhafilm into the partnership as a prospective production collaborator.
The next stage will involve adapting the screenplay to the Sakha setting, evaluating production requirements, and exploring financing arrangements and potential Indian production partners. A location-scouting visit is being considered for 2027.
The MOU is non-binding, and financing, the final co-production structure, and the production schedule have yet to be confirmed.
The agreement also reflects the broader ambitions of the Yakutsk International Film Festival, which has increasingly emphasized international cooperation, particularly with Asian film industries, as a way of expanding opportunities for regional filmmakers and strengthening Yakutia’s position within the international cinema landscape.
About the Production Partners
Picture Perfect is an Indian production company headed by Vivek Singhania, whose credits include the Bollywood films “Na Tum Jaano Na Hum” and “Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne”, alongside consulting producer roles on “Namastey London”, “Aap Kaa Surroor”, “Badass Ravikumar”, and “Dishkiyaaoon”. His international work also includes “Hexing”, “Karma: Crime Passion Reincarnation”, “Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden”, and “Indisch für Anfänger”.
Saidam Baryl is an independent production company led by Sakha filmmaker Stepan Burnashev, known for films including “Black Snow”, “YT”, “Aita”, and “The Penthouse”. The company focuses on independent filmmaking and international collaboration.
Sakhafilm is the State National Film Company of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), supporting the development and production of cinema in the region. The company has been involved in acclaimed Sakha films including “The Lord Eagle” (2018), “The Sun Above Me Never Sets” (2019), and “Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan” (2022).