Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming mythological epic Ramayana: Part 1 is preparing for a theatrical release that could rewrite the record books for Indian cinema. The film, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, is reportedly targeting a massive rollout across more than 59,000 screens worldwide. If successful, this would make it the widest global release ever for an Indian production, surpassing the theatrical footprints of recent blockbusters like Pushpa: The Rule, RRR, and even Hollywood giant Avatar: The Way of Water.
Unprecedented Global Rollout Planned for Diwali 2026
The makers are planning an ambitious two-part strategy for the film’s release. According to a report from trade tracker Sacnilk, the international distribution is being handled by Sony Pictures, which aims to launch Ramayana: Part 1 on more than 50,000 screens outside India. Within the country, the film is expected to open on roughly 9,000 screens. Combined, this would bring the total worldwide screen count to over 59,000.
This scale is notably larger than some of the biggest recent Indian releases. Pushpa: The Rule reportedly reached around 12,000 to 13,000 screens globally, while RRR debuted on approximately 10,000 to 11,000 screens. The numbers also place Ramayana ahead of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which opened on nearly 52,000 screens worldwide and went on to earn over $2.33 billion at the global box office.
The film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 6, 2026, just two days before the Diwali festivities. The second part is expected to follow around Diwali 2027.
Star-Studded Cast and Record-Breaking Trailer Response
The film brings together an ensemble cast. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, the movie features Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi, Arun Govil as King Dasharath, and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari. Anupam Kher lends his voice to the character Jatayu. Ranbir Kapoor also plays a double role, portraying both Lord Rama and Lord Parashurama.
The film’s trailer, launched on July 30, 2026, during the Brahma Muhurat, created a massive buzz. Released in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, along with an English dub, the trailer amassed over one billion cumulative views in just five days.
Reacting to the response, producer Namit Malhotra told ANI:
“The trailer was released last week and I think it crossed over a billion views in five days, which is a great moment for India. I really appreciate all the love we’ve got from people all over the world. The aspiration is to now take it to the world as we are with our partnership with Sony Pictures. We are hoping to make sure that Ramayana now releases globally as a big universal film.”
He also spoke about the story’s universal appeal:
“Every Indian, every person in the world I feel can identify with it in some form and shape, so the fact that we’re getting appreciation for it and it’s connecting with people, that’s a feeling of great satisfaction that we are on the right track.”
A Global Cinema Experience with Advanced Technology
The producers are positioning Ramayana as a global cinematic event. The film is expected to be released in nearly 50 languages, utilizing DNEG’s AI-powered lip-sync technology, Brahma AI. This technology allows audiences to watch dubbed versions while preserving the actors’ original facial performances. The makers demonstrated this with the release of an English-language trailer, where the lead cast dubbed their own dialogues while the AI synchronized their lip movements to match the language.
The film will also receive a premium-format rollout, including IMAX screenings. The music for the epic has been composed by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, marking their first collaboration together.
Massive Production Scale and Budget
Ramayana is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made, with a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore. The production is a collaboration between Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, DNEG (an eight-time Academy Award-winning VFX studio), and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for his work on Dangal. Speaking about the project, Tiwari has mentioned that Part 1 will end on a cliffhanger. The cast and crew have been actively promoting the film, including appearances at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. During the event, Ranbir Kapoor revealed that the climax scene with Yash is yet to be filmed. He also confirmed that Part Two is already 50 percent shot.
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Comparison with Other Blockbusters
The reported screen count for Ramayana puts it in a league of its own when compared to other major releases. The film’s global ambitions are clear, with a release strategy that aims to reach audiences far beyond the traditional Indian diaspora markets. Sony Pictures’ involvement has been key to this strategy, providing access to one of the world’s largest theatrical distribution networks.
In India, Ramayana will enjoy a solo release, with no major films scheduled for November 2026. However, internationally, it will face competition from Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus Zero, which is also set to release on November 6. Both films are expected to compete for IMAX and other premium screens.
The film’s release is one of the most anticipated events in Indian cinema, with its scale and ambition drawing comparisons to the biggest Hollywood spectacles. As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on whether Ramayana can achieve its record-breaking screen count and deliver on its promise of a truly global cinematic experience.
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