International
Resident Evil…tops b-o collection in US and Canada
MUMBAI: Resident Evil: Retribution, the horror sequel, grabbed the top spot at the US and Canadian box office over the weekend by amassing $21.1 million (13 million pounds),it is understood. On the other hand, the 3D version of Walt Disney‘s cartoon Finding Nemo took the No. 2 spot in the US and Canadian box-office charts with an intake of $17.5 million, according to Disney.
Resident Evil: Retribution is the fifth film in a franchise that stars Milla Jovovich as heroine Alice in a battle against the Umbrella Corporation and its army of zombies. Domestic sales were in line with distributor Sony‘s pre-weekend projection for the low- to mid-$20 million range.
In international markets, the film added $50 million, for a worldwide total of $71.1 million. It did particularly well in Asia.
Sony president of distribution Rory Bruer credited Jovovich for the continuing success of the Resident Evil franchise.
Meanwhile, people of all ages headed to theatres to see Finding Nemo for the first time in the 3D format. The film ranks as one of the most successful from Disney‘s Pixar animation studio, generating global sales of $868 million during its original run.
Disney spent less than $5 million to convert the film to the 3D format. Although weekend numbers came in slightly lower than Disney‘s original projections, Disney‘s executive vice president for motion picture distribution Dave Hollis said the tally was in line with previous 3D re-release openings.
After two weeks at No. 1, the Demon film The Possession slipped to third place generating sales of $5.8 million.
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.
