International
Russian box-office expected to reach $1.3 bn in 2012
MUMBAI: Russia‘s box office is predicted to reach a record $1.3 billion in 2012, based on the first six months‘ figures. If it happens, it will be a 13 per cent increase from that of last year.
From January through June, the country‘s box office has reached $682.5 million, according to the industry publication Kinobizness Segodnya (Film Business Today). No figure, although, was available for comparison, as prior to this year, Russia‘s box office was measured in December through November periods before they were switched over to a calendar year.
However, the publication predicts that the entire year‘s figure would likely reach $1.3 billion that would set an all-time record, a 13 per cent increase from $1.15 billion, which all the theatrical releases grossed in Russia in 2011.
The increase in box office revenues was largely due to increases in ticket prices. In the first six months, the average ticket price was 238 roubles ($7.35), compared with 200 roubles ($6.18) in the corresponding period last year, according to Movie Research, a research company.
During this period, local fare grossed $114.2 million, which corresponds to 16.7 per cent of the total, a slight increase from 14.5 per cent in the December 2010 through November 2011 period.
Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted, distributed by Central Partnership, became Russia‘s highest grossing movie in the first half of this year after it grossed $46.5 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.
