International
Dark Knight Rises still on top in fifth consecutive week
MUMBAI: Weak overseas box office intakes enabled The Dark Knight Rises to again rule the No. 1 spot for the fifth consecutive week pushing the film‘s overseas gross total past that of its predecessor, The Dark Knight that released in 2008.
The $20.6-million weekend tally recorded by The Dark Knight in 61 overseas markets was this year‘s third lowest for a No. 1-ranked title. But, in spite of this, the Christopher Nolan-helmed film totaled its foreign accumulation to $487.8 million, which is $18.1 million more than Dark Knight‘s $469.7 million.
The gap, in mention, should widen since The Dark Knight opens in Greece this week, China on 27 August and in Italy on 29 Aug. The two biggest markets of the film, to date, are the UK and Australia.
The weekend‘s notable foreign circuit newcomer was undoubtedly The Expendables 2 that stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Dammes and Arnold Schwarzenegger among many others.
Universal opened the Millennium Films-Nu Image Films action sequel.
Upon opening, the film took the top market spot with $7.9 million drawn from 750 sites. This was 45 per cent bigger than the opening tally grossed by The Expendables in 2010. In Italy, the film recorded a No. 1 debut gross of $2 million at 259 locations.
In the UK, the film tallied $2.8 million (including previews) at around 450 situations.
The total gross of Russia, Italy and UK stands at an estimated $12.7 million.
It may be remembered that the original Expendables had grossed $171.4 million overseas compared to $103.1 million in the US and Canada.
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.
