International
Hollywood films relegating Chinese films at BO
MUMBAI: Box office collection of Hollywood films in China continues to surge but local media say it‘s “embarrassing” that local films barely figure in the top 10.
Box office in the Country grew 35 per cent in the first half of year to 7.74 billion yuan ($1.22 billion), and nine of the top 10 titles were from outside China. Foreign films look likely to continue to reap the lion‘s share of Chinese BO thanks to the recently increased quota for imports of premium films.
The highest-grossing film so far this year, according to Chinese media reports, was the 3D release of Titanic that grossed $153 million; it‘s third on the list of all-time top earners behind Avatar and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
With grosses expected to reach $5 billion by 2015, China‘s B.O. total could equal US and Canada‘s $10 billion annually by 2020. Other Hollywood titles in the top 10 included Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, Battleship, The Avengers and Men in Black 3.
Though The Hunger Games missed the Chinese top 10, with nearly $25 million after four weeks locally, the film still shows the potential of non-studio films that are usually released outside summer.
Warner Bros.‘ Wrath of the Titans, that made $25.4 million in China, was the first film to benefit from the country‘s higher revenue-sharing ratio.
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.
