The upcoming mythological film 'Ramayana: Part 1', directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is recording substantial advance booking numbers as it prepares for its theatrical release on November 5, 2026. The film, which features a prominent ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, has seen domestic sales cross Rs 17.14 crore as of 11 am on October 30. Excluding blocked seats, the figure stands at Rs 14.29 crore, with approximately 3.34 lakh tickets already purchased by cinema-goers across the country.
International interest in the project remains robust, with overseas advance bookings nearing the USD 3 million mark, equivalent to roughly Rs 28 crore. North America has emerged as the primary driver of these international figures, contributing nearly USD 1.9 million to the total. Other significant markets include the United Kingdom and Ireland, which have accounted for approximately USD 268,000 in sales, while Australia and New Zealand combined have contributed around USD 248,000. Paid previews scheduled for November 4 in North America are credited with further bolstering these pre-release numbers.
The domestic rollout experienced a brief period of uncertainty due to a distribution deadlock. Exhibitors and distributors were initially divided over revenue-sharing terms for the highly anticipated project. Proposals from distributors included a three-week sliding scale starting at 60 percent, or a flat 55 percent share for the first 11 days. The production team, managing an estimated Rs 4,000 crore budget for both parts of the saga, sought favorable terms to offset the massive scale of the film. Conversely, exhibitors expressed concerns regarding operating costs and the potential impact of such high-percentage deals on industry standards for future blockbuster releases.
These disagreements have since eased, allowing cinema chains to open booking windows as settlements are reached. According to Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX Limited, the response from audiences has been encouraging, with the PVR INOX circuit alone recording over 2.5 lakh tickets sold. Bijli noted that the film’s release timing coincides with a six-day festive window, a period historically associated with increased family cinema attendance and strong cultural interest.
Beyond the primary leads, the film boasts a massive ensemble cast that has contributed to the pre-release anticipation. Notable appearances include Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and veteran actor Arun Govil as King Dasharatha. The supporting cast features Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva, among others. The project’s technical scale is further highlighted by a musical score composed by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, produced by Namit Malhotra.
While Hindi markets are currently leading the domestic sales, ticket listings for the Kannada and Telugu versions are steadily gaining traction. As negotiations conclude across various regional circuits, more theatres are expected to make tickets available. The industry anticipates that the completion of this rollout, expected by the evening of October 30, will provide a further boost to the overall box office tally before the film hits screens next week.
With the release date approaching, industry observers are closely watching the performance of the film, which represents one of the most ambitious cinematic projects in recent years. Given its broad cultural appeal across different age groups, the film is expected to be a significant contributor to the festive season's box office revenue. As of now, the film continues to solidify its footprint in both the domestic heartlands and key overseas territories.
Comments