International
Cineworld acquires Picturehouse Cinemas in UK
MUMBAI: The second-largest British exhibitor Cineworld has taken over art house cinema chain Picturhouse Cinemas by buying out its parent company the City Screen Group for $76 million (?47.3 million) in cash.
The deal was finalised between Cineworld and City Screen majority owner Arts Alliance and will add 21 sites and 60 screens to its real estate along with Picturehouse Entertainment, the distribution arm operated by the group. Cineworld also made public the fact that it plans to open 10 new locations across UK in the near future. Arts Alliance has been the majority shareholder of Picturehouse since 2002.
Post the buyout, Picturehouse will operate as a separate business entity within the Cineworld Group and there will be no change in the existing Picturehouse management team that runs the outfit.
For FY12 Picturehouse reported audited sales of $48.8 million (?30.3 million), profit before tax of $4 million (?2.5 million) and gross assets of $56 million (?35 million).
Cineworld CEO Stephen Wiener said, "This acquisition gives us an opportunity to accelerate our growth by reaching new audiences in a high value and growing part of the market. We recognize that Picturehouse is valued by its customers and we look forward to supporting the business through the next phase of its development."
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.
