International
Blockbuster strikes deal with big three studios
MUMBAI: Blockbuster has struck a deal with Warner Bros., Sony and Fox giving a first lien of its Canadian assets in exchange for day-and-date delivery of DVD rentals for films from those studios as well as payment terms that are suitable for Blockbuster.
Blockbuster is doing what it can to avoid bankruptcy while studios seem eager to help out. Warners had already said that it was giving films of Blockbuster 28 days before Netflix and Redbox and altering payment terms to relieve Blockbuster of some financial burden during the near term, while making it up to studios in the long term.
Sony and Fox are following suit, though exact terms of the deal is not yet known.
The first two films under Blockbuster‘s new arrangement with Warners are The Blind Side and Sherlock Holmes.
Arrangements that guarantee Blockbuster can rent films the day they go on sale is a big deal, given a trend of holding back new releases from Redbox and Netflix, the competitors of Blockbuster.
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.
