International
Paranormal 3 has record debut
MUMBAI: Paramount’s Paranormal Activity 3, a $5 million low-budget horror movie, has mopped up $80 million from the box office over the weekend.
The film earned $54 million from US and Canadian theatres, the highest debut for a horror movie and the biggest October debut ever in those markets, according to the studio. Jackass 3-D had an opening of $50.4 million last year.
The R-rated horror prequel made $26 million from international markets.
The movie is about two young sisters and their creepy encounters with an invisible presence in their home, all recorded by surveillance cameras.
Horror movies generally attract teenagers and young adults. Paranormal Activity 3 also brought in viewers over 25 years of age.
The Three Musketeers and Johhny English Reborn, the weekend’s two other releases, had sluggish ticket sales. A 3D action version of the classic novel, The Three Musketeers grossed $73.2 million, with $8.8 million coming from US and Canadian theatres, as it failed to draw in younger moviegoers.
Jhnny English Reborn, which had a better run overseas, grossed just $3.8 million in the North American market. The British spy comedy had travelled in other markets before releasing in America, collecting $104.5 million over five weeks.
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.
