International
Hollywood films on hold as China celebrates
MUMBAI: While China‘s Communist Party continues to celebrate, both in a nationwide propaganda blitz with Beginning of the Great Revival, the propaganda epic that marks the 90th anniversary of China‘s Communist Party, Hollywood‘s biggest summer releases Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 and Zookeeper have been kept on hold.
All the three films have been slotted for release in the later part of July.The delay in the release of Transformers has stunned film observers considering that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, was China‘s all-time box office hit for a short period in 2009 after it earned an estimated $59 million after which Cameron’s Avatar edged it out.
Kung Fu Panda 2 had already been in Chinese cinemas for 37 days and raked in an impressive $94 million, according to figures from Chinese entertainment research firm EntGroup.
While cinemas showing Revival have been flooded with screenings, Hollywood blockbusters have been banned and offices and schools have been encouraged to buy tickets in bulk. The film has grossed $49 million in its first 19 days. The film was screened 64,393 times last week, compared to 26,254 times for Kung Fu Panda 2.
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.
