International
Toy Story on top again in overseas markets
MUMBAI: Pushing its overseas gross total to $351 million, Pixar/Disney‘s Toy Story 3 roped in $62 million in the last weekend from 3,897 screens in 43 locations.
Following Toy Story, was Warner Bros.‘ Inception which drew $56.7 million from 5,840 venues in 38 territories. Director Christopher Nolan‘s sci-fi-thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio had No. 1 debuts in Japan ($8.9 million from 523 screens), France ($8.1 million from 717 locations), Russia ($6.75 million from 906 locales) and Australia ($6.4 million from 413 situations).
Sony‘s SALT grossed $5.1 million overseas day-and-date release with its domestic release at 779 screens in 17 secondary markets to end its opening weekend tally at $5.1 million.
Director Phillip Noyce‘s Cold War thriller starring Angelina Jolie as a suspect CIA agent premiered No. 1 in Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. It finished second in India, the best opening in the market for a Jolie title. Brazil, Japan, Korea and Russia openings are due this week.
The 3D version of Toy Story 3 had record openings in UK and Spain. While the animation threequel grossed a huge $30.6 million (including previews) in the UK, in Spain the debut tally was $7.9 million.
The film‘s foreign earnings qualifies the title as Disney‘s sixth biggest-grossing animation title ever offshore. With a worldwide gross total of $730.5 million, makes it the seventh biggest-grossing animation title of all time from any distributor.
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.
