International
‘A Christmas Carol’ debuts with $ 31 million at the box-office
MUMBAI: In its first weekend, Disney‘s A Christmas Carol roped in an estimated $31 million at the North American box-office. It is surprising to note that the studio was expecting the good result.
The Oscar contender Precious that is Lionsgate‘s select-theaters debut of Lee Daniels‘ drama grossed $1.8 million from 18 theaters in four cities for an average of $100,000 per-screen.
The Michael Jackson documentary This Is It held on to the second spot, dropping just 40 per cent from its opening.
The other releases found it tougher to secure a foothold.
Overture‘s military satire The Men Who Stare at Goats clocked in at the third place with $13.3 million. Finishing in fourth place was Universal‘s horror thriller The Fourth Kind grossed over $12.5 million, while the weekend‘s other wide arrival, Warners Bros‘ The Box and Twilight Zone- tagged behind in the fifth and sixth place.
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.
