International
Ice Age: Continental drift is No. 1 at overseas box office
MUMBAI: After logging its biggest overseas weekend to date grossing $95.2 million from 14,131 venues in 64 markets, 20th Century Fox‘s Ice Age: Continental Drift reclaimed the No. 1 foreign box office position as it out-did The Amazing Spider-Man.
The Blue Sky Studio‘s sequel is the fourth title in the increasingly remunerative computer animation franchise that has grossed $1.918 billion worldwide over the last 10 years.
Continental Drift‘s weekend was the third best ever for the franchise and the film‘s foreign gross total stands at $339.2 million accumulated since 25 June exceeding the figure of $270.1 millionof Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted.
Driving its weekend box office action were openings in 18 markets including a powerful No. 1 debut in Russia where the film generated an astounding $16.4 million at 2,090 sites, the biggest market opening weekend of the year. The UK came up with $9.1 million from 1,246 spots for a market total of of $20.8 million.
The film took the top spot in its second Germany with $12.4 million at 1,214 play dates for a total of $33.6 million. In France, it remained No. 1 with $7 million generated at 1,019 spots for a market cume of $34.3 million. In all, the animation title ranked No. 1 in at least 30 territories.
The weekend‘s No. 2, Sony‘s The Amazing Spider-Man — fourth in the blockbuster series, that has racked up $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office generated $66.6 million at 16,575 venues in 87 markets, for a foreign gross total accumulated since June 27 of $320.4 million.
Unlike Continental Drift, the film premiered in several medium-to-small markets including Norway, South Africa, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania. Spider-Man retained No. 1 holds in such larger territories as Mexico (cume $19.6 million), Brazil ($17.5 million) and India ($13.3 million). Top territory was the U.K. where it took the weekend‘s No. 2 spot with $6 million drawn from 911 situations for market cume of $29.5 million.
The overseas numbers posted by The Amazing Spider-Man and Ice Age: Continental Drift strengthen the odds that the “big six” Hollywood majors will set another foreign box office record in calendar year 2012. The current yearly high-water mark was set last year when the companies collectively drew $13.6 billion from the offshore theatrical circuit.
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.
