International
Iron Man 2 stands supreme all around
MUMBAI: Marvel Studios‘ Iron Man 2 outpaced its predecessor opening atop domestic rankings with an estimated $133.6 million in weekend box-office. The first Iron Man that also starred Robert Downey Jr. debuted in May 2008 with $98.6 million.
Distributed by Paramount, the film marked the fifth biggest bow ever and Paramount‘s best to date. People were expecting that the broad pre-release buzz of the film could translate into a record-breaking opening, but the $158.4 million opening performance of The Dark Knight in July 2008 seems to be unscathed.
Iron Man 2 ruled the foreign theatrical circuit over the weekend for the second week taking the No. 1 spot with $57.2 million from 10,774 locations in 61 markets. The film accumulated an overseas box-office total of $194 million.
Combined with the film‘s $133.6 million opening domestic tally, Iron Man 2 has generated a worldwide gross of $327.6 million to date.
In China, Iron Man 2 drew $7.3 million from about 3,000 situations. In Germany and Austria, the film drew a combined opening tally of $3.88 million putting it to a No. 1 position in each market. The film also finished No. 1 in Korea ($4.7 million from 834 locations), Australia, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, Italy and Mexico.
In France, the film lapped up $4 million from 655 locations, in the UK. It took the top spot with $4.9 million drawn from 426 spots.
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.
