International
Cars 2 grosses $ 68 million in 1st weekend
MUMBAI: Outpacing expectations, Walt Disney/Pixar’s Cars 2 grossed $ 68 million in its first weekend beating the $60.1 million debut of the original Cars. Overseas, the Pixar sequel grossed $42.9 million from 18 markets for a worldwide debut of $110.9 million. Heading into the weekend, tracking had suggested an opening of $50 million to $55 million for Cars 2.
On the other hand, the Cameron Diaz comedy Bad Teacher grossing $ 31 million overpowered Universal’s Bridesmaids that grossed $26.1 million. Made at a cost of $20 million, the film earned another $12.9 million internationally for a global opening of $49.3 million.
In North America, Bad Teacher edged out Green Lantern for the No. 2 spot. The latter fell a steep 66 per cent in its second weekend by grossing $18.4 million. Disney said that a contributing factor to the film’s success was the popularity of Pixar titles.
On the other hand, rival studios pointed out that Cars 2 dropped 10 per cent from Friday to Saturday, suggesting that bad reviews, unusual for a Pixar title, may have had an impact. However, Disney said that the drop had to do with the fact that most kids are out of school now with Friday playing more like a Saturday. Opening on the same weekend last year, Toy Story 3 also dropped 10 per cent on Saturday.
At the international box office, Cars 2 grossed $9.3 million in Russia and in Australia, the film beat Kung Fu Panda 2 by grossing $5.2 million.
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.
