International
Slump in DVD sales makes movies a theatrical biz
MUMBAI: A slump in DVD sales in the United States has put pressure on film producers to depend on theatrical revenues.
DVD, which was one of the main contributors to the success of a film some time back, is now finding a tough competitor in the video-on-demand (VoD) service.
The wholesale value of 415 films released on DVD in 2010 fell to $4.47 billion from $7.97 billion in 2009. Apart from VoD, the decline is also because of new media technologies.
Netflix Streaming and Redbox are being blamed for the slouch of DVD sales. Consumers are spending less on DVD because they have switched to advance technologies like Blu-ray, Netflix and VoD.
Despite Fox‘s strong sale of Avatar, the DVD sales dropped 44 per cent. Blu-ray continues to grow and generated $2.3 billion last year, representing a growth of 53 per cent. Digital downloads have also grown.
Even though Internet and VOD have the potential to become the next big thing, they are unable to level the contribution DVD made once upon a time. Walt Disney Studios has reported a 14 per cent drop in home-entertainment revenue in 2010, while Universal Pictures fell by 24 per cent.
At the Produced By conference at Disney Studios, Harvey Weinstein said, “It‘s become much more of a theatrical business because the movie has to work in theaters. There‘s no second chance. Because of the DVD decline, producers have realised the importance of theatre release and that being the deciding factor with audience.”
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.
