International
Paramount on top; rakes in $5.17 bn globally in 2011
MUMBAI: Taking the crown away from Warner Bros, that was on a winning streak for the last five years, Paramount ranked No. 1 in market share at the domestic box office in 2011 with a global total to $5.17 billion.
Among Paramount‘s 2011 titles, Dark of the Moon grossed $1.123 billion worldwide followed by DreamWorks Animation‘s Kung Fu Panda 2 with $665.7 million. The Paranormal Activity threequel grossed $203 million — after only costing $5 million to make. Ghost Protocol, on the other hand that released around Christmas, has grossed $366.5 million worldwide in less than three weeks.
Overseas too, Paramount became the first studio in history to jump the $3 billion mark with its titles earning $3.21 billion. Paramount is credited for its fine-tuned marketing and distribution units, as well as for a focused development slate.
Compared to Paramount, Warner Bros.‘ films took in $2.86 billion overseas for a global total of $4.67 billion, the second-best showing after Paramount among the Hollywood studios.
“Over the last six years, we‘ve achieved everything we hoped we would,” Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey has been reported as saying.
“We had three major franchise titles in 2011, Michael Bay‘s Dark of the Moon, Paranormal Activity 3 and the recalibration of Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol, with Tom Cruise doing a great job.”
Paramount has also revealed its 2012 slate that will include films like Paranormal Activity 4, Brad Pitt’s World War Z, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Dictator.
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.
