International
Tsunami affects film exhibition in Japan
MUMBAI: The earthquake and tsunami in Japan is definitely going to restrict theatrical box-office collections in the world‘s second-biggest territory this weekend.
The first to be affected is that of Academy Award winner The King‘s Speech and several other Hollywood imports.
The King‘s Speech, being distributed by Gaga Communications, opened in Japan on Feb. 26 and has grossed more than $5.5 million there so far. Last weekend, the best picture Oscar winner nabbed $1.6 million from 124 venues for a per-screen average of $12,915.
Taking a bigger hit will also be Fox‘s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which is concluding its successful foreign release grossing more than $294 million internationally with a triumphant Japan run.
Also affected would be the box-office collections of Treader that also opened in the market 25 February raking in about $15.5 million in the last weekend at an impressive $4.1 million from 910 venues.
With the disruption of train service in many locations, it was not immediately clear how many movie theaters will be in operation this weekend in Tokyo — which sustained a smaller quake after the initial 8.9-magnitude earthquake in northern Japan — much less in the nation‘s nine key markets and in the territory overall.
Scheduled Japan openings for a couple of animation titles like Disney‘s Tangled and DreamWorks Animation‘s Megamind in 3D from Paramount — were in suspense. Both were anticipating lucrative payoffs in Japan‘s animation-crazed market.
Japan was the largest foreign market last year for films distributed by the American majors like Fox, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Sony and Universal and was second only to the US and Canada as the world‘s largest box-office territory for films of all origination.
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.
