International
‘Harry Potter’ sequel banks $104 mln on first day of release
MUMBAI: The latest film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince cast a $104 million spell over worldwide box-offices on its first day in theatres thus setting a new record for the boy wizard, distributor Warner Bros Pictures said.
The film, the sixth in the film series based on the popular books by J.K. Rowling, grossed $58.18 million in North America and $45.85 million overseas on Wednesday, the Time Warner Inc-owned studio said.
Only last month Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen scored a bigger mid-week first-day gross with $62 million in domestic ticket sales on June 24.
The latest Harry Potter also ranks as the fourth-highest single-day gross for a film release in North America behind Dark Knight ($67.1 million), No. 2 Transformers: Revenge and third Spider-Man 3 ($59.8 million).
It may be recalled that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix that also opened on a Wednesday with first-day domestic collection of $44.2 million went on to gross $937 million worldwide.
The first five films
in the Harry Potter have so far grossed about $4.5 billion collectively at the global box-office.
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.
