International
‘Transformers’ grosses $28.6 million on second day
MUMBAI: Transformers: Rise of the Fallen continued to steamroll across the box-office landscape picking up an estimated $28.6 million in its second day of release at the North American box-office.That puts the two-day total for the Paramount release, which is playing in 4,234 theatres at $89.3 million
Entering the weekend, the film is now well-poised to surpass the six and a half day total of the first Transformers. The sequel looks likely to top that number in just its first five days.
The new Transformers has several other box-office records in its cross-hairs as it is slowly moving into a $180 million territory.
The current five-day record for a movie that opened on a Wednesday is 2004‘s Spider-Man 2 which took in $152.4 million.
Current five-day record holders are last year‘s The Dark Knight ( $203.7 million); 2005‘s Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith ($172.8 million) and both 2006‘s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest and 2007‘s Spider-Man 3 ($169.5 million each).
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.
