Big-budget Ramayana set for a slow start at theatres

Advance bookings in India for The Ramayana: Part 1, one of India’s most ambitious and expensive film franchises, are falling short of trade expectations, with analysts and distributors telling ET that ticket sales remain underwhelming despite its marquee cast, grand scale and blockbuster budgets.

Sacnilk data showed the film had grossed nearly Rs80 crore in advance bookings across India as of 5 pm on November 3, including block bookings, with actual ticket sales at around Rs64 crore and average theatre occupancy at just 14%. Trade analysts had estimated advance bookings of close to Rs200 crore given its budget range of Rs700-1,000 crore.

In 2026, big-budget Hindi films such as Dhurandhar 2, Drishyam 3 and Border 2—relatively much lower in budget when compared to the Ramayana: Part 1—recorded advance ticket collection in the range of Rs12-52 crore.


The muted advance sales of the Ramayana: Part 1 suggest audiences are adopting a wait-and-watch approach despite the film's scale and star power, they said. The Ramayana: Part 1 is estimated to have a production budget of Rs 700-1,000 crore, according to trade analysts.

The muted advance sales suggest audiences are adopting a wait-and-watch approach despite the film’s scale and star power, they said.

Distributors attributed the muted advance bookings largely to a lack of strong audience buzz around the film.

"The widely quoted advance ticket sales figures are inflated. Bookings are much lower than that," explained Shaaminder Malik, a distributor and film business expert. "Also, these figures are still below expectations given the film’s budget. High ticket prices are also a dampener," he added.

The film ticket price has been pegged in the range of Rs300-Rs3000 depending upon the screen format, shared analysts.

The film is reported to be releasing on about 59,000 screens globally — 9,000 screens in India and 50,000 screens outside India.

In India, the film faces no competition for at least two weeks after its release.

"The Ramayana: Part 1 is a solo release. This is a big advantage. If the film connects with audiences, then it can work wonders," observed producer Girish Johar.

Three aspects of the film have fuelled debate and shaped pre-release audience sentiment, with its music emerging as a key concern. Film scholars said the soundtrack has failed to resonate with audiences.

"The Ramayana’s appeal lies in evoking Bhakti Rasa or a devotional mood through music. Not a single song from the film has really resonated with audiences," observed Dr Piyush Roy, Dean, School of Film, Media & Creative Arts, RV University, Bangalore. ‘The makers could have used folk and bhakti songs from India’s rich tradition to evoke the Bhakti Rasa,’ he added. ‘While Western storytelling often focuses on cognitive realism (how a character would think), Indian storytelling thrives on affective realism (how a character would feel), where songs, melodies and bhajans heighten emotions and evoke rasa. This devotional connection creates a lasting impact,’ added Roy.

Flattering to Deceive?

The film’s visual effects (VFX) have also come under scrutiny, with viewers raising questions about their quality and execution.

"Judging from its trailer, the film’s VFX quality does not reflect its huge budget. An epic like The Ramayana cannot rely entirely on VFX. Generally, audiences experience fatigue with VFX-heavy films," said an editor requesting anonymity.

Film scholars say epics such as the Ramayana resonate with Indian audiences primarily through an emotional connection, a bond reflected in the enduring popularity of annual Ramlila performances across the country, but one they believe is missing from the film’s narrative and presentation.

"Bhaav is important in the Ramayana. Indians return to Ramlila every year not for spectacle but for emotional connection. Instead, the film’s Rs4000 crore budget and visual effects have become talking points," noted Roy of RV University.

‘One does not need to sell the Ramayana to Indians. The story is already deeply rooted in our cultural memory. Audiences want an experience that moves them and not just another retelling. The film’s trailer gives a feel of a Western superhero template. It lacks the key humility factor, which is the emotional essence of the Ramayana,” explained a scriptwriter requesting anonymity.

The film’s lengthy runtime has also emerged as a concern, potentially dampening audience interest, trade analysts said.

"The length of the film’s Indian version is three hours and fifteen minutes. This could be a challenge, especially for Indian audiences who know the story. The film must have tight storytelling," said Girish Wankhede, a movie trade analyst.

Adding to the challenge, The Ramayana: Part 1 will face competition from the Godzilla franchise’s Godzilla Minus Zero, scheduled for release just two weeks later.