International
Expendables, Airbender neck-to-neck at overseas b-o
MUMBAI: The Expendables and The Last Airbender are neck-to-neck as far as No.1 at the overseas box-office is concerned.
M. Night Shyamalan‘s 3D adaptation of the Nickelodeon TV series grossed an estimated $18 million from a number of 5,843 venues in 51 locations for an overseas total of $120 million.
Paramount‘s Airbender opened at No. 1 in Mexico with $4 million from 812 spots, while its first China round roped in $2.6 million from 1,500 locations. Weekend estimates puts Expendables‘ weekend tally roughly at $18 million while Expendables is playing in a total of 32 markets via various local distributors with only a handful of major territories reporting so far. Its overall haul is estimated at $75 million.
The Milennium Films /Nu Image Films super-octane action vehicle The Expendables directed by and co-starring Sylvester Stallone with Jason Stratham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts and Mickey Rourke, opened in Germany, Norway and Thailand in the latest round. The film stands on the No. 2 position in Germany with an estimated intake of $3.2 million from 525 sites.
20th Century Fox‘s overseas introduction of a “special edition” of Avatar at 1,046 screens in 14 markets grossed $4.26 million more than enough to push director James Cameron‘s sci fi blockbuster walk past the $2 billion foreign-gross mark.
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.
