International
Harry Potter film grosses $476 mn worldwide
MUMBAI: After grossing a staggering $168.6 million, Warner Bros.‘ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 notched up the top weekend opening of all time at the domestic box office.
Overseas, the film garnered $307 million thus bringing its worldwide debut to $476 million–the largest on record so far. With this, the film surpassed the $394 million earned by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Deathly Hallows 2 earned $92.1 million on Friday alone, including a record $43.5 million in midnight shows. It grossed another $42.8 million on Saturday, falling by 53 per cent.
Other records set by Deathly Hallows 2 domestically was that it became the only film to have had the largest opening day ever and the largest opening for the franchise. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, incidentally had got in $125 million on its opening day.
The previous record for best weekend opening domestically belonged to Warners‘ The Dark Knight, which grossed $158.4 million in its first three days.
Among the audience, females made up the majority of the audience at 54 per cent while 55 per cent of those buying tickets were over the age of 25.
Deathly Hallows 2 is the first film in the franchise to be released in 3D. It is said that only 4 per cent of the opening gross came from 3D theatres.
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.
