International
Ticket sales down 3.5% from 2010 in N.A.
MUMBAI: It is the last day of the week and also the year.
In the entire year the film industry sold 1.28 billion tickets in North America, according to Hollywood.com the lowest since 1995. That was good for $10.2 billion in box office revenue down 3.5 per cent from last year.
Experts aver that the disappointing results came from a combination of a weak economy and expanding home entertainment options. Spiking ticket prices have also played a role with average ticket prices rising more than 80 per cent since 1995 and jumped to $7.96 from $6.88 in the last four years.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II ranked as the highest-grossing film in North America this year after raking in more than $381 million followed by Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
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.
