International
The Help and The Debt make hay at b-o
MUMBAI: The Labour Day saw adults thronging cinema houses to view The Help and the Helen Mirren film The Debt. While the former grossed $19 million, the latter roped in 12.6 million.
The collections from 6 May to Labour Day narrowly beat 2009, the previous best ($4.33 billion), for a rise of over 1 per cent. Last year, the summer revenues totaled $4.21 billlion that put this summer‘s collections ahead by more than 4 per cent. Attendance, however, came down by a mere 1 per cent compared to that of 2010.
Overseas, revenues are expected to reach a record-breaking $8.2 billion this summer, a dramatic rise rom $5.8 billion in summer 2010. Domestic grosses for the long Labor Day weekend were up by around 5 per cent over 2010.
DreamWorks and Participant Media‘s The Help — reminiscent of The Blind Side in its staying power — and 20th Century Fox‘s Rise of the Planet of the Apes fueled the August box office domestically, earning an estimated $123.4 million and $162.5 million respectively till Labor Day.
The Help, distributed by Disney, didn‘t drop at all in its fourth weekend, upping its domestic total to $123.4 million and becoming the first film since Inception to be at the No. 1 spot for three consecutive weekends.
The Debt, from Focus Features and Miramax, played better than expected, fueled by adult moviegoers. Opening on Wednesday, the film‘s six-day launch was a stellar $14.5 million, better than the $12 million earned by Focus adult hit The Constant Gardener, another Labor Day release, in its first six days.
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.
