International
The Social Network clings to top spot in 2nd week
MUMBAI: The Social Network, the Facebook film reigned the North American box-office for the second straight weekend.
A couple of new films in the form of romantic comedy Life As We Know It and Secretariat failed to gain muster, with the former drawing in $14.6 million while the latter rounded out the top three positions with $12.6 million.
In comparison, The Social Network garnered $15.5 million. The film played in just under 2,800 locations to record a per-theatre average of around $5,600. Ticket sales dipped by about 30 per cent, a minimal drop by Hollywood standards from last week’s final haul of $22.4. In two weeks, The Social Network has roped in $46.1 million that Columbia said covers its production cost, putting the film on a solid path to profitability.
Warner Bros’ Life As We Know It, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel drew in $14.6 million from 3,150 locations averaging over $4,600 per theatre, while Secretariat rounded up the weekend with $12.6 million from around 3,200 venues for $4,100 per theatre.
Last week’s No. 2 Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole slipped two steps to No. 4 spot with $7 million pushing its cumulative ticket sales to $39.4 million after two weeks.
At the No. 5 spot was horror master Wes Craven’s My Soul to Take in 3D. The film slashed its way to $6.9 million in ticket sales and a per-theatre average of around $2,700.
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.
