International
Harry Potter film crosses $1 billion mark
MUMBAI: Grossing 466.4 million from 15,400 cinema halls in 59 markets, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 coasted to the weekend’s No. 1 box office slot averaging about $17,000 per day over the last week on the foreign theatrical circuit.
After reigning at the top box office spot for the third consecutive weekend, the film now ranks as the highest grossing title ever released overseas by Warner Bros.
On the overseas circuit, the eighth installment accumulated box office collections of $690 million offshore in 19 days of foreign release. Globally, the tally exceeds the $1 billion gross mark more than doubles the films domestic take of $318.5 million.
In comparison, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 has become part of the elite billion dollar club while Paramount‘s Transformers: Dark of the Moon promises to become one within days.
The billion dollar winner films are Avatar, Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest, Toy Story 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Dark Knight.
Before this summer, only seven movies in history had grossed $1 billion or more at the domestic box office. Now there are nine, between Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Deathly Hallows 2, the first film in the franchise to reach the milestone. Dark of the Moon will make it ten.
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.
