International
Warner Bros set to distribute 20th Century Fox in India
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. is in the process of signing a deal to distribute movies from the Rupert Murdoch-promoted 20th Century Fox stable in India, a development that goes to prove that arch rivals can get together to promote their business interests.
Recently, 20th Century Fox shut down operations in India following a long period of losses and financial mismanagement. The winding up process has ended.
“Warner is entering into a distribution deal with 20th Century Fox,” says an industry source. This will mean that 20th Century Fox will release its movies in India through Warner, once the agreement is inked.
Among the Hollywood players in the film distribution business, Sony Pictures Releasing of India (earlier Columbia TriStar) is the most successful with a turnover of Rs one billion in calendar year 2004. While Spiderman II grossed Rs 360 million, Anaconda earned Rs 220 million.
In India, Hollywood studios are entering into alliances to drive the distribution of their movies. Sony Pictures Releasing, for instance, has a running deal to distribute Walt Disney movies. The trend also is to mix the lineup with distribution of local Hindi products which are popular.
The closure of 20th Century Fox’s operations is unfortunate, industry analysts feel. “The distribution business is risky in India. Distributors will have to know what price they are paying for acquiring the rights to distribute these movies. Besides, there is a requirement to have the right local products,” says an analyst.
The studio had also come up with local releases such as Jhankar Beats, Pinjar and Tehzeeb. “However, of these Hollywood films, only X-Men broke even, while Jhankar Beats turned out an encouraging show,” the sources said
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.
