Fans eager to book their seats for Ramayana: Rise of a Legend woke up to disappointment on Dussehra. The film’s advance bookings were announced to open on October 20, yet by evening, ticket counters and booking apps across the country were still largely shut, caught in a tug-of-war between the film’s distributors and cinema owners over how to split the box office. With the worldwide release locked for November 5, both sides are now racing the clock.
What happened on booking day
The makers had announced well in advance that ticket sales would open on Dussehra, a date chosen deliberately for a story about Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. But by 3:45 pm on Tuesday, no ticket options were visible on major platforms. Earlier in the day, a couple of theatres had briefly opened sales, but BookMyShow later withdrew the option, leaving fans refreshing their phones for nothing.
By late evening, only a handful of cinemas had managed to start selling, including INOX Korum Mall in Thane and AMB Cinemas Kapali in Bengaluru. For the rest of the country, the wait continued.
The money question at the heart of it
The dispute is about one thing: who gets how much of every ticket sold. For big-budget Hindi releases, the standard industry arrangement gives distributors around 52.5 per cent of net box office in the first week, 45 per cent in the second week and 37.5 per cent in the third.
According to the report, Ramayana‘s distributors are asking for far richer terms:
- Week 1: 60 per cent, against the usual 52.5 per cent
- Week 2: 50 per cent, against the usual 45 per cent
- Week 3: 40 per cent, against the usual 37.5 per cent
The logic is straightforward. A film mounted on this scale, with one of Indian cinema’s most expensive productions behind it, earns the bulk of its money in the opening week, and distributors want that share to reflect the risk they carry. Cinema operators, however, see it differently. They have their own costs to cover, from staff to electricity to the sheer risk of blocking screens for a film that may or may not fill them, and several exhibitors have reportedly refused to sign screening contracts until the terms improve.
A trade source quoted in the report put it plainly: unless both sides reach a mutually acceptable agreement, the advance booking window will keep getting delayed. Negotiations, as of Tuesday evening, were still underway.
Why this film can afford to play hardball
It is worth remembering what Ramayana actually is. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part epic stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. It is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with the eight-time Oscar-winning visual effects company DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Part one arrives on November 5 this year, with the second instalment planned for Diwali 2027.
The buzz around the film is enormous. On Dussehra, the makers unveiled a fierce Ravana tandav sequence featuring Yash, and fans responded with rare electricity, calling it a career-defining screen moment. A film with this level of anticipation gives distributors rare bargaining power, and they appear to be using every bit of it.
What fans can do right now
If you are planning to watch the film on opening weekend, the honest answer is that you will have to wait a little longer. Here is the practical picture:
- Do not panic. The film is 16 days away from release. A few days of delay in bookings is unusual but not fatal.
- Keep an eye on BookMyShow. As soon as the dispute is settled, the booking window should open wide, and with the kind of demand this film is generating, early shows will fill fast.
- Avoid unofficial ticket sellers. Whenever a big film’s bookings are delayed, grey-market operators appear. Pay only through official platforms.
The exhibitors have every reason to reach a deal too. A film like Ramayana is exactly the kind of event release that fills theatres in the Diwali season, and neither side benefits from a prolonged stalemate. Trade watchers expect a resolution within days, if not sooner.
Frequently asked questions
When do Ramayana advance bookings open?
Bookings were scheduled to open on October 20, 2026, but the nationwide rollout has been delayed because of a revenue-sharing dispute between distributors and exhibitors. Negotiations are underway.
Why are Ramayana bookings delayed?
Distributors are reportedly demanding 60 per cent of box office in week one, 50 per cent in week two and 40 per cent in week three, well above the usual terms of 52.5, 45 and 37.5 per cent. Exhibitors are reluctant to accept these terms.
When is Ramayana releasing?
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, the first of two parts, releases worldwide on November 5, 2026. The second part is slated for Diwali 2027.
Who is in the cast of Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Yash plays Ravana, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Sunny Deol plays Hanuman and Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
Can I book tickets for Ramayana right now?
As of now, only a few theatres have opened sales. Most booking platforms are still waiting for the distributor-exhibitor dispute to be resolved. Check official apps for updates.
Ramayana was supposed to give Indian cinema its biggest Dussehra celebration yet. Instead, it gave the industry a lesson in how much can hinge on a single spreadsheet. The film will come, and the seats will open. The only question is who blinks first.
