International
Toy Story 3 is number one in Hong Kong
MUMBAI: In just the first seven days of its opening on 15 July, Toy Story 3 has broken all records to emerge as the highest-grossing animated feature in Hong Kong roping in an equivalent to US$4.82 million.
The third instalment of the successful franchise overtook Toy Story 2 in the number one spot on the list of highest-grossing animated film in one-eighth of the time. The sequel had grossed HK$35.7 million during its two-month run in 2000, according to the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association. The original film featuring Woody and Buzz Lightyear, released in Hong Kong in 1996, grossed HK$16.8 million in a little more than a month.
The animation powerhouse‘s 2005 superhero caper The Incredibles is in third place with a gross of HK$33.8 million while last year‘s stereoscopic 3D animation Up secured HK$33.3 million and is now in the fourth spot.
The only non-Pixar animation in the top five was 20th century Fox‘s 2009 stereoscopic 3D threequel Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
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.
