International
Avengers pulls steam off Battleship with intake of $1.18 bn
MUMBAI: Disney and Marvel Studios‘ Avengers became the fourth film of all time with an intake of $1.18 billion while Universal and Hasbro Entertainment‘s Battleship lost steam midway grossing $25.3 million.
Battleship‘s international gross of $226.8 million provided some cushion, but it needed a strong domestic performance to end up in the black. There‘s already speculation that Battleship will follow the same course as Disney‘s John Carter that debuted at $30.2 million in March and topped out at $71.8 million domestically. Overseas, the Disney film earned $200.6 million. The results finally showed a $200 million write-down for Disney.
The continuing strength of Disney and Marvel Studios‘ The Avengers has undoubtedly made life difficult for Battleship and Warner Bros.‘ Dark Shadows that opened last weekend.
The alien-invasion actioner — based on the classic board game not well known by younger generations — played notably older Friday, with 66 per cent of the audience over the age of 25. Battleship ended up competing with Sacha Baron Cohen‘s new R-rated comedy for males, who made up 57 per cent of Battleship‘s audience.
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.
