International
McQueen’s Shame grosses $ .36 million on debut
MUMBAI: This week‘s release Steve McQueen‘s Shame was one of the top debuts ever for a film given a NC-17 rating. The film grossed $361,181 from 10 theaters for a location average of $36,118.
Fox Searchlight, that is planning an aggressive awards campaign for the film has decided to first test the appetite for the film in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
Searchlight, that acquired Shame from the Telluride Film Festival, believes that the film will play well throughout awards season, despite the challenges associated with the NC-17 rating.
Two awards contenders landed on the top 10 box office chart. Martin Scorsese‘s Hugo expanded into an additional 500 theatres over the weekend. The 3D family friendly film-named best film of the year by the National Board of Review last week, garnered $7.6 million from 1,840 locations.
In another victory for Searchlight, Alexander Payne‘s The Descendants climbed to No. 7 on the box office chart after grossing $5.2 million as it added 141 locations for a total theater count of 574.
Descendants, starring George Clooney has now grossed $18.1 million and is the first limited release to ever cross $10 million in 12 days. And the film is already the No. 2 limited release of the year after Woody Allen‘s Midnight in Paris that has roped in a total $56 million.
The tally of Midnight in Paris includes $274,518 million grossed over the weekend as Sony Pictures Classics made one last push before the DVD comes out on December 20 and re-released the film in nearly 300 theaters.
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.
