International
Disney pays $115 million for transfer of rights from Paramount
MUMBAI: Guaranteed $ 115 million, Paramount Studios has closed a deal with Disney to transfer worldwide marketing and distribution rights to Marvel for films like The Avengers and Iron Man 3.
The distribution deal was one of Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey‘s first major moves after taking over the studio in 2005 and Marvel‘s comic book-derived tentpoles Iron Man and its sequel strategically filled the studio‘s pipeline while the new regime readied its own franchises.
Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion last year, but the latter‘s current cycle of films had to be contractually released through Paramount via a distribution deal in place when Disney entered the picture.
Now that Paramount has Star Trek, Transformers and Mission: Impossible, it no longer needs the Marvel properties.
Grey said, “Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”
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.
