International
Sarah Palin doc does mediocre biz
MUMBAI: The Sarah Palin documentary The Undefeated opened in 10 theatres over the weekend. It grossed between $60,000 to $75,000 that denotes a per-screen average of $6,000 or $7,500. A screen average below $10,000 is considered mediocre.
The Undefeated, a documentary stitched together with a thousand sound bites is an entirely partisan account of Sarah Palin; it looking like a campaign film.
The Undefeated recalls how Palin lost the last election in which she ran and subsequently stepped down from her job as governor of Alaska before her term was up.
Set to have its theatrical runs next week in select houses nationwide, this will attract media attention.
Distributor ARC Entertainment and Cinedigm Entertainment rushed the documentary into digital-only theaters and relied on social media to market the film.
ARC said theatres in larger markets enjoyed per screen averages of nearly $10,000 on Saturday night.
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.
