International
Despite robust growth in box office, China’s film industry hits five-year low
MUMBAI: According to a report, China‘s domestic film industry has hit a five-year low despite robust growth in box office sales across the country in the first half of this year.
The industry is going through a rough patch as ticket sales of domestic films started plummeting in the first six months, a time when the country‘s total box office revenues gained by over 40 per cent compared to that a year ago.
In the January-June period, 14 blockbusters hit Chinese theatres among the 38 imported films screened in the country, and only two of them failed to bring in more than 100 million yuan.
In contrast, among the 141 China-made movies screened in the same period, only 5 per cent managed to break even and the rest lost money, it is understood.
The box office for domestic films dropped by 4.3 per cent year on year to 2.8 billion yuan (444 billion U.S. dollars), according to the latest data from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
The slump came just months after China amended rules in February to import more Hollywood movies for national distribution. In the meantime, ticket sales of foreign films jumped by 90.4 percent year on year to 5.27 billion yuan.
China‘s rapidly expanding movie market collected 8.07 billion yuan in the first six months — up by around 41.7 per cent from a year ago.
The country had previously allowed only 20 American films, mostly big-budget Hollywood fare,- to be distributed nationally each year. In February, the country agreed to allow an additional 14 US films to be distributed each year as long as they are made in the 3D or IMAX formats.
China represents one of the most attractive growth opportunities for the US film industry that is facing declining theatre revenues and slumping DVD sales in North America.
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.
