International
Failure of Happy Feet Two results in lay-off of 600
MUMBAI: After the dismal performance of Happy Feet Two at the box-office, six hundred of the 700 employees at the Sydney-based digital production studio Dr D Studios, which was behind the animated film, have reportedly been told that they would be soon laid off.
Happy Feet Two, a sequel to 2006‘s Academy Award-winning film Happy Feet that grossed $384.3 million off a budget of $100 million had amassed a meagre $30.3 million worldwide.
There may be a silver lining for some of the employees in the notice. They have reportedly been offered a job at Kennedy-Miller Mitchell Films, a new company that has Dr. D Studios as a joint partnership with Omnilab Media. The company is likely to get off the ground early next year.
Released on November 18, Happy Feet Two has not found much success. It opened in 3,606 theaters and came in second at the box office during its debut weekend after grossing $21.2 million.
Dr. D Studios, that specialises in digital feature film production and high-end special effects, reportedly had hoped to compete with Peter Jackson‘s Weta Digital in neighboring New Zealand.
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.
