International
28-day delay of DVD rentals being planned
MUMBAI: Several Hollywood studios are in plans to double a 28-day delay on DVD rentals offered by Netflix and Coinstar‘s Redbox DVD rental kiosk operator, it is understood. Hollywood executives are discussing a postponment of 60 days from the time DVDs go on sale and studios continue to explore ways to bolster DVD sales and digital purchases.
The news comes after Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, has been reported as saying that the studio is looking at lengthening the current 28 days delay.
Though it has not been detailed as to which studios may seek a longer delay, but highlighted that beyond Warner, Universal Pictures, part of Comcast-controlled NBCUniversal and News Corp.‘s Fox currently impose the 28-day rental window on Netflix and Redbox.
Coinstar CEO Paul Davis has reportedly said that the company has the option of buying DVDs elsewhere, but that it will continue to work with studios. “Some studios want a window and we try to work with them,” he said. “There‘s a point to where it might not make sense.”
It may be recalled that Redbox had announced last Thursday that it will raise DVD rental prices by 20 per cent per day.
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.
