International
‘Transformers,’ ‘Ice Age’ battle for top spot
MUMBAI: Paramount‘s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Twentieth Century Fox‘s 3-D toon Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs ended in a photo finish last Thursday at the US box office, with Transformers 2 narrowly winning.
Transformers 2 grossed $11.5 million from 4,234 runs, putting its domestic cume at $250.9 million in its 9th day in release. Ice Age 3 grossed $11.1 million from 4,032 for a two-day cume of $24.9 million in its second day in release. Of its total theatre count, roughly 1,606 are 3-D screens.
Johnny Depp topliner Public Enemies which grossed $6.6 million from 3,319 for a two-day cume of $14.8 million. One studio executive said that the Box-Office is poised for a very solid holiday weekend, pointing out there is “something for everyone,” whether action tent pole, family fare or adult drama.
Ice Age 3 and Public Enemies opened mid-week in order to get a jump on the holiday weekend, when traffic could be slowed because of 4 July falling on a Saturday. Box office observers say Ice Age 3 and Transformers 2 could remain in a dead heat over the weekend.
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.
