International
Kung Fu Panda 2 gains hearts in China amid protests
MUMBAI: Hollywood is beginning to gain hearts in China. DreamWorks Animation‘s Kung Fu Panda 2, which hit the theatres on 26 May, is faring well at the box office amid protests from a section of the Chinese.
Kung Fu Panda 2 has opened in 11 markets and drawn $57 million from 8,023 locations. Even in China, the movie has performed well despite a cultural backlash against it.
No independent box office figure from China is available but a strong part of the population has found the film highly entertaining.
That, however, has not prevented a small section of the population in launching protests and even considering boycott. They are of the opinion that this American Movie has ‘Chinese Elements‘, which has twisted the Chinese culture and tried to fool the next generation with American Fast food.
The makers of Kung Fu Panda 2 have used elements of Chinese culture for advertising to the Americans. They have called it a “cultural invasion”.
The production designer admitted to being inspired by the architecture, scenery and weather of Chengdu, which is the capital of Sichuan province, of Southwest China. The Sichuan-style noodles and the Taoist culture are popular elements of Chengdu which have been shown in the movie.
The Chinese market is extremely important to Hollywood because, as per the quota system of China, only 20 foreign films are allowed in China. Controversy doesn‘t seem to let the makers of the movie rest. Even when the original Kung Fu Panda released in 2008, there was a protest in China for similar reasons.
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.
