International
Simultaneous worldwide release a dilemma for films
MUMBAI: Two of this summer‘s biggest hit movies illustrate the lucrative possibilities of a simultaneous worldwide release — as well as its limits.
Sony greenlighted its Tom Hanks starrer Angels & Demons – based on author Dan Brown‘s less well-known follow-up to The Da Vinci Code – specifically because of its international expectations.
Staging a simultaneous worldwide bow in May, the results haven‘t disappointed: Angels has soared to $329 million internationally, combining with a more earthbound $128 million in North America.
“The world has become so small, and a film like Angels & Demons is able to tap into a worldwide audience,” said Sony worldwide distribution president Rory Bruer, who‘s in the Netherlands here this week for the annual Cinema Expo confab. “But you have to look at what‘s best for the picture.”
Indeed, though executives at all studios now routinely scrutinize foreign box-office projections when developing projects and planning campaigns, one need look no further than Terminator Salvation to realise some films will always elude easy alignment around the world.
Warner Bros. opened the iconic sci-fi sequel Stateside on May 21, but Sony — which holds most foreign rights on Salvation — held it back a couple weeks in most foreign territories to allow Angels a more open playing field.
Salvation has earned $200 million internationally, so it‘s hard to see where the delay hurt its worldwide haul.
On an industry-wide basis, domestic and international receipts now roughly even out. But Angels shows how disproportionately lucrative foreign campaigns can be, while Paramount‘s sci-fi reboot of Star Trek — a $239 million domestic grosser that‘s done just half as much business internationally — shows how individual films still can defy glib generalizations, Still, a growing global trend is clearly afoot.
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.
