International
Hollywood readies season of sequels
MUMBAI: It‘s raining sequels in Hollywood. For the period from May to September, 27 sequels, prequels and close relatives will be released.
The month of May saw one of the most famous sequels which made a very impressive box office collection. Hangover Part II and Pirates of the Caribbean smashed all records.
While there are many second or third sequels, upcoming ones are Cars 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the eighth and final installment of the “Harry Potter” series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol, Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.
Makers at Hollywood do not like to take many risks; so, if there are sequels, it is not because of their lack of ideas, it is just being cautious to keep the fan base consistent. The well established characters have made a place for themselves in the minds of the audience, this works in the favour of filmmakers.
Hollywood has always been known for chasing trends. Although there are some sequels that don‘t do well, sequels are easy target; sometimes, they turn out to be really good. Most of the times, sequels are not made to maintain continuity but because the original one did well.
It takes a lot of time to captivate the minds of the audience. So, if a particular story has established itself, a sequel to it makes the job less risky.
In Hollywood, summers and sequels go hand-in-Hand. Next year, there is more to look forward to. The Third sequels of ‘Men in Black‘, ‘Madagascar‘, ‘Superman‘ and ‘Spider-man‘ are slated to release.
As they say, the season of sequels refuses to take a break in Hollywood.
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.
