International
Lions Gate records a loss of $ 28.6 million
MUMBAI: Despite a strong quarter at the box-office thanks to Tyler Perry‘s Madea Goes to Jail, My Bloody Valentine and The Haunting in Connecticut, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. recorded a loss of $28.6 million, or 25 cents a share, on revenue of $463.2 million, compared with a profit of $29.8 million in the year-earlier period.
The stock of Lions Gate stock fell 5 per cent to $5.96 in after-hours trading Monday after closing at $6.26 up 6 cents. The Santa Monica company was scheduled to hold a conference call with analysts this morning.
The disappointing fiscal fourth quarter caps off a rough 12 months for the independent studio, producer of the Tyler Perry movies and “Weeds” and “Mad Men” cable TV series.
For its fiscal year ended March 31, Lions Gate reported a loss of $163 million on revenue of $1.47 billion. The loss is about $25 million more than it had told analysts to expect in February and more than double last year‘s loss of $74 million.
The studio said disappointing releases in the second fiscal and third quarter were to blame as well as a $36.1million charge it took on its deal to distribute DVDs of Hit Entertainment, which produces videos for the family and children‘s market. Lions Gate also recorded higher movie marketing expenses than in earlier years.
Like much of Hollywood, Lions Gate has been stung by the weakened DVD market, although its home video unit actually had a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter because of the release of titles Bangkok Dangerous and Punisher 2.
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.
