International
Hollywood 3D and local flicks power record collection at Japanese BO
MUMBAI: The American influence on Japan continues. While staying local, Japan‘s box office collections ballooned mainly on account of Hollywood 3D blockbusters that took the top three spots.
Japan‘s theatrical collections touched a new high, surpassing the previous record of 2004, as it rose 7.1 per cent to 220.7 billion yen ($2.7 billion) in 2010.
Though feeling the tremors, the local Japanese filmmakers ruled their den. According to the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan data, local Japanese movies fared better than imported movies in overall market share for the third straight year. But their share of the total market slipped three percentage points from 57 per cent in 2009 to 54 per cent in 2010.
The rise in box office figures can be primarily due to the premiums charged for 3D viewing, which generally adds about 300 yen per ticket.
Significantly, the top three films at the 2010 box were all foreign and 3D movies. Twentieth Century Fox‘s sci-fi blockbuster Avatar was the year‘s top grossing film with 15.6 billion yen ($190 million), followed by Walt Disney Co‘s Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3, both smashing the 10 billion yen mega-hit mark.
The Borrower Arietty, the top Japanese film and No. 4 overall, raked in 9.25 billion yen. The animated movie was followed by 3D flick, Umizaru 3: The Last Message and cop action thriller Bayside Shakedown 3, which grossed $98 million and $88.9 million respectively.
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.
