International
Battle: Los Angeles takes top spot on opening
MUMBAI: Sony‘s sci-fi action film Battle: Los Angeles took the top spot at the domestic box-office with a strong $36 million opening. Battle also made a major play overseas, grossing $16.7 million from 33 territories for a worldwide bow of $52.7 million.
Battle, that cost $70 million to produce after tax incentives, is Sony‘s fourth film in a row to open at No. 1 domestically after Green Hornet, The Roommate and Just Go With It.
On the contrary, I wasn‘t a good week for Warner Bros. Red Riding Hood and Disney‘s Mars Needs Moms. Paramount Pictures‘ Rango trounced both Mars and Red Riding Hood in its second weekend, falling only 39 per cent to an estimated $23.1 million.
Between Battle and Rango, the domestic box-office showed some signs of recovery. Revenues came down only by 10 per cent from a year ago period.
The news was particularly bad for Disney financially, since Mars managed to gross $6.8 million on its debut. On the other hand, Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried opened to an estimated $14.1 million, well behind expectations.
Red Riding Hood came in No. 3, followed by Universal holdover The Adjustment Bureau, which fell a respectable 46% in its second weekend to an estimated $11.5 million for a cume of $38.5 million, according to Rentrak.
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.
