International
Fast Five reigns international box office
MUMBAI: Having collected an estimated $58 million from 8,800 locations in 61 territories, Universal‘s Fast Five has claimed the No. 1 box office slot on the foreign theatrical circuit for the second consecutive weekend.
Fast Five‘s foreign gross total stands at $271.7 million compared to its $168.8 million domestic tally, making the sequel the franchise‘s highest grossing title. It overtook the previous record-holder, 2009‘s Fast & Furious, that grossed $208 million offshore.
But the film‘s second weekend tally fell 32 per cent from the prior round indicating that the summer‘s first two powerhouse Hollywood studio titles including Paramount‘s Thor made a dent at the overseas box office.
Since its first opening offshore on 21 April, Thor has grossed $225 million. The film finished at No. 2 last weekend with a draw of $27.5 million from 11,861 locations in 60 territories. Since its 8 May China debut, the film, an adaptation of the Stan Lee comic book, grossed a total of $11.5 million, out of which $4.1 million was raised in the last weekend.
Sony‘s Priest that opened overseas on 6 May seems to be a film that is slowly catching the eye of the audience. The film grossed $16.7 million from 4,015 screens in 46 markets for an early overseas cume of $25.6 million. The sci-fi thriller in 3D opened No. 1 in the Ukraine, Singapore and Venezuela, while standing in first place in Russia with a second weekend tally of $3.5 million from 550 spots.
Woody Allen‘s Midnight in Paris registered an estimated $4 million from some 325 locations and a No. 2 market ranking behind Fast Five.
Meanwhile, Black Swan has crossed the $300-million mark at the global box-office, a feat few independent films are able to accomplish. Last weekend, the film opened in Japanese theatres where it collected $6.1 million, according to distributor Fox Searchlight. That enabled the film to push its international total to $198.4 million and its worldwide tally to $305 million.
Few other low-budget, independently released films have reached that milestone. Danny Boyle‘s Slumdog Millionaire that won the 2008 Oscar for best picture, grossed $377.9 million worldwide and Mel Gibson‘s The Passion of the Christ collected $611.9 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.
