International
Hangover II poised to gross $135 mn in 5 days
MUMBAI: Warner Bros.‘ Todd Philips-directed The Hangover Part II grossed an estimated $30 million in a record showing for an R-rated comedy and is poised to gross $135 million in its first five days.
The film that earned $31.7 million on Thursday, is well on its way to gather more than $60 million in a total of Friday and Saturday.
Paramount and DreamWorks Animation‘s Kung Fu Panda 2, the film to release earned an estimated $13.5 million on Friday in a good showing. Opening on Thursday, the film‘s two-day total came to around $19.3 million.
Trade pundits believe that the film should pick up steam on Saturday as families become fully available. Thus it will be on track to gross between $65 to $70 million in its five-day run.
Coming in third position at Friday‘s box-office was Disney‘s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides that is expected to gross between $9 to $10 million on Friday.
In the fourth position was Universal‘s R-rated female-comedy Bridesmaids.
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.
