International
China ranks third in annual film output
MUMBAI: Box office earnings of the Chinese film industry have jumped a massive 64 per cent in 2010, said to be a bad year for Bollywood. China ranked third behind Bollywood and Hollywood in terms of annual film output. It put the box office earnings of the local movie industry at $1.5 billion.
In a survey, China‘s media regulators have predicted the local industry, regarded as a backward territory until recently, will surpass India and Japan by 2015.
The year 2010 saw a massive growth in the film industry with China ‘s state administration of Radio, Film and Television reporting that as many as 500 films were made during the period.
On the other hand, the Indian media has quoted film industry sources saying that the earnings last year would be around Rs 10,000 crores ($2.2 billion) after rising 10-12 per cent over the 2009 revenue. The industry has been caught in the 10-12 per cent growth trend since 2008.
At present, the United States is ahead of all other markets as it notched box-office revenue of $11 billion in 2010. Japan came second with $2.5 billion in earnings followed by India. China‘s media regulators expect China to overtake Japan by 2015.
The highest grosser in the Chinese market was a James Cameron‘s Avatar that earned $200 million. Next came the Chinese film Aftershock that earned $100 million followed by another Chinese film Let bullets fly that raked in $75 million since its release in mid-December and its producers believe the total earnings will be much higher.
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.
