International
Rodrick triumphs at weekend box-office
MUMBAI: Grossing $24.4 million Fox 2000’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules came winner in the weekend box-office race that delivered the studio a new franchise.
On the other hand, Warner Bros.‘ Sucker Punch grossed $19 million.
Rodrick Rules, based on childrens‘ book series and screening in 3,167 theatres came in ahead of the original Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which opened a year ago to $22.1 million.
The sequel, costing $20 million, enjoyed a 39 per cent raise on that of Saturday with nearly 60 per cent of the audience under the age of 18. The success of Rodrick Rules, about a middle school boy and his brother, almost guarantees that Fox 2000 will make a triquel.
Sucker Punch, costing at least $75 million to produce, was co-financed by Warners and Legendary Pictures. Internally, Warners had expected the fanboy pic — about a rough-and-tumble group of girls trying to escape from a mental institution — to clear $20 million.
Sucker Punch‘s Imax runs set records. Playing in 229 Imax locations, the movie grossed $4 million for the large format exhibitor, or 21 per cent of the opening weekend gross. That’s the biggest share ever for a 2-D release in Imax.
Overseas, the film grossed $7.4 million from 2,145 screens in 23 markets, putting its worldwide bow at $26.4 million.
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.
