International
Imax CEO doesn’t expect Hollywood films in a lot in China
Mumbai: Imax CEO Richard Gelfond doesn‘t expect many Hollywood films to clash at local multiplexes in China. He told the Goldman Sachs‘ Communacopia conference that Chinese authorities directing screen traffic in the Asian market weren‘t impressed with the results when Warner Bros.‘ The Dark Knight Rises and Columbia Pictures‘ The Amazing Spider-Man opened simultaneously in China on Imax screens on 27 August.
“My guess is they‘re going to rethink that,” Gelfond told investors.
Gelfond argued the cannibalisation was less about reducing slots for Hollywood movies than opening up screen time for Chinese films to bring the ratio of local and foreign movies in China more into balance.
“Instead of two Hollywood films stretching out over two months, they wanted one month for Chinese films,” Gelfond said while speaking on creating black-out periods for non-domestic films by bunching Hollywood titles.
Gelfond, who was in China last week,as part to hold discussions with government authorities, said the arms-length China Film Group, that charges a fee to import foreign titles, makes less money when Hollywood films don‘t follow one after the other.
And Chinese exhibitors make less money as well, and are more interested in attracting consumers to their shopping malls by building multiplexes, than protecting local films.
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.
