International
The Dark Knight close to top foreign b-o
MUMBAI: Warner Bros.‘ The Dark Knight Rises is expected to easily top the foreign box office chart despite the mishap by way of in-theatre shooting in Aurora in Colorado that left at least a dozen dead and a dozen more injured.
Neither the studio nor Rentrak are officially reporting worldwide grosses for the weekend out of respect for the victims, but insiders say that the last installment of Batman earned at least $70 million-plus from nine of the 17 countries where it released over the weekend. Official number are expected to be released on Monday.
The biggest market for Dark Knight Rises was the U.K., where the film grossed at least $16.1 million till Saturday with another $6 million i likely on Sunday. Australia came up with a weekend tally of $15.2 million, while South Korea looks to generate $15 million.
Spain is estimated to come up with another $4 million, with Hong Kong contributing $3 million. Dark Knight Rises opens in Germany, France and Japan this coming week.
In other weekend action, 20th Century Fox‘s Ice Age: Continental Drift drew $58.8 million on the weekend at 13,825 locations in 67 markets. The total for the fourth title in the Ice Age animation franchise stands at $442.7 million.
DreamWorks Animation and Paramount‘s Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted, which has been playing overseas since 6 June, has grossed an offshore total of $282.5 million after a $6.1 million weekend at 4,977 venues in 44 countries. A No. 2 Netherlands opening delivered $2.7 million (including previews) from 205 situations
Paramount‘s The Dictator crossed the $100 million mark over the weekend, thanks to a $2.6 million weekend at 1,388 sites in 38 countries. The Sacha Baron Cohen comedy opens in the Philippines and Vietnam this week.
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.
