International
China’s Wanda Group to buy AMC Entertainment for $2.6 bn
MUMBAI: Hollywood is attacting investments from China while opening up its own market in a limited way to the western movie world.
China-based Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to buy AMC Entertainment, the second largest movie theatre chain in North Amierica, for $2.6 billion.
Wanda, located in Beijing, intends to also invest up to $500 million in AMC strategic and operating initiatives over time as it aims to create the world‘s largest cinema theatre chain.
The move comes after a line of investments Wanda has made in the entertainment sector since 2005. “This acquisition will help make Wanda a truly global cinema owner,” said Wanda chairman and president Wang Jianlin in a statement. “We share with AMC a passion for the growth of the worldwide movie industry.”
The transaction is pending closing conditions and regulatory approval from the US and China. “With Wanda as its partner, AMC will continue to seek out new ways to expand and invest in the movie-going experience,” AMC CEO and President Gerry Lopez said in a statement.
The Wanda group has more than $1.6 billion invested in entertainment and cultural activities.
AMC, headquartered in Kansas City, employs about 18,500 people and owns 346 theatres.
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.
