International
Movie ticket prices fall in second quarter
MUMBAI: The National Association of Theatre Owners has revealed that Americans paid an average of $7.88 per ticket in the second quarter down from $7.95 in the first three months of the year.
The decline reflects the enormous first-quarter box-office collections for Avatar and the premium ticket prices movie theatre owners charge patrons for the privilege of viewing such fare. Theatres generally charge more than $3 for tickets to 3D movies.
Avatar opened 18 December and roped in $457 million of its record $750 million in North America from 1 January to March 30. Also pumping up the first-quarter average was a $334 million domestic grosser Alice in Wonderland that released on 5 March and collected $299 million by 30 March while How to Train Your Dragon registered $53 million of its $218 million by the month‘s end after releasing on 26 March.
The second quarter featured just two 3D releases. Toy Story 3 opened on 18 June and raked in $251 million of its $380 million by 30 June while Shrek Forever After fetched $231 million of its total collection of $235 million after releasing on 21 May.
The average ticket price of $7.90 for the first half means the industry‘s $6.48 billion in year-to-date box-office works out to roughly 820 million movie-theatre admissions.
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.
