International
‘Paranormal Activity’ grosses $100 mn in US in five weeks
MUMBAI: Paramount Studios has announced that Paranormal Activity has grown from its midnight-only showings to become this year‘s biggest movie phenomenon and has crossed $100 million at the box-office after five weekends of its US release.
In so doing, the film has become the top grossing R-Rated thriller of the past decade.
The film began released with midnight-only screenings in 12 college towns across the US and quickly became a hit with fans visiting the ParanormalMovie.com website and demanding the film be brought to their city.
After more than 1 million such requests, Paramount expanded the film nationally where it has been playing to packed theaters ever since.
Says Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey, “What is truly amazing about Paranormal Activity is the depth of commitment from fans who demanded to see it. Adam Goodman, our head of production, believed in the film and championed it from the very first screening. This box-office milestone is also a testament to Oren Peli‘s considerable talents as a filmmaker. All of us at Paramount are proud to have been involved with his revolutionary project.”
In the film after a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night.
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.
