Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One has opened in cinemas across India today, Thursday, November 5, 2026, after one of the biggest advance booking runs Indian cinema has ever seen. Trade tracker Sacnilk put the film’s advance bookings at Rs 130.12 crore gross in India by 7 am on release day, with 36.37 lakh tickets sold for the first six days. Even without blocked exhibitor seats, the figure stood at Rs 105.12 crore, a start that puts the Diwali release in rare company before a single full day of shows is complete.
The opening is not just about one number. The film arrives in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, in standard, 3D and IMAX formats, and early trade reports say the first shows have already added to the total.
A record advance booking run
Advance sales built steadily through the week and then surged in the final 24 hours. Hindi has driven the bulk of the business, accounting for roughly four fifths of the advance gross, with Telugu and Kannada the next strongest languages. Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka have emerged as the top states for advance sales, according to Sacnilk data reported across trade coverage.
For the opening day alone, advance bookings were reported at close to Rs 50 crore gross in India, with more than 13 lakh tickets sold before release day began. Overseas sales have added further momentum, with combined worldwide advance bookings reported to have crossed Rs 150 crore including international ticket sales.
Early shows on Thursday morning also made a quick mark. Trade reports put early-show earnings at Rs 3.66 crore net in India, or Rs 4.32 crore gross, with the Hindi version contributing Rs 2.61 crore net. Those are early, partial figures, but they point to strong footfalls from the first screenings.
What the film is about, and who is in it
Ramayana: Part One, also billed as Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, is the first instalment of a two-part retelling of the ancient epic. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Yash plays Ravana and Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, and the ensemble also includes Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi and Anupam Kher in key roles.
The film has been shot using IMAX cameras and runs for 3 hours and 15 minutes. It has received a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, with no cuts reported. Music is by A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer, and visual effects are by DNEG, the Oscar-winning studio behind films such as Dune.
Part Two is planned for Diwali 2027, which means the story told in this first film is deliberately only the beginning. Audiences going in this weekend should expect an introduction to the epic rather than the complete tale in one sitting.
Can it challenge the biggest openings?
Trade expectations for the opening day are high but not unanimous, and they should be read as projections, not results. Chennai-based trade analyst Ramesh Bala has projected an opening of around Rs 100 to Rs 120 crore in India and around Rs 175 crore worldwide. He has also said the film could challenge the worldwide opening record held by Dhurandhar 2, reported at Rs 200 crore. Other estimates have put the first-day range slightly lower, at Rs 75 to Rs 100 crore across languages in India.
Two other release-day developments are worth noting. The Bombay High Court has granted a dynamic interim injunction to protect the film against online piracy, a step makers routinely seek for big releases. West Bengal has also declared the film tax-free, which should help ticket pricing and footfalls in the state through the opening weekend.
What to know before you book
- Release date: Thursday, November 5, 2026, ahead of the Diwali weekend.
- Languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
- Formats: Standard, 3D and IMAX, with IMAX shows a major draw for this release.
- Runtime: 3 hours and 15 minutes, certified U with no cuts reported.
- After cinemas: The film is set to be available for on-demand purchase on JioHotstar in India after its theatrical run.
- Part Two: Planned for Diwali 2027.
Now the question shifts from advance bookings to audience word of mouth. A record start guarantees attention. Whether the film holds through the Diwali weekend will depend on how families and fans of the epic respond once the opening-day rush settles.
FAQs
When did Ramayana release in India?
Ramayana: Part One released in cinemas on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
How much did Ramayana earn in advance booking?
Advance bookings in India reached Rs 130.12 crore gross by 7 am on release day, with 36.37 lakh tickets sold, according to Sacnilk data reported on November 5.
Who plays Rama, Sita and Ravana in Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita and Yash plays Ravana. Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman and Sunny Deol plays Hanuman.
How long is Ramayana, and is it suitable for families?
The film runs for 3 hours and 15 minutes and has a U certificate, with no cuts reported.
When will Ramayana Part Two release?
Part Two is planned for Diwali 2027.
Ramayana has opened with the numbers of a true event film. The rest of the story, at the box office at least, will be written over the next four days.
