Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is already making history months before its theatrical release. According to the latest industry reports, the makers are planning an unprecedented worldwide rollout of nearly 60,000 screens, making it the biggest theatrical release ever attempted by an Indian film.
Backed by Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations, and Sony Pictures Entertainment for international distribution, Ramayana: Part 1 is being positioned as a true global cinematic event. If the planned rollout goes ahead, it will even surpass the worldwide release of Avatar: The Way of Water, setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Reports indicate that Sony Pictures is handling overseas distribution, with a major focus on North America, Europe, Australia, and other international territories.
Ramayana Aims for Around 60,000 Screens Worldwide
Industry reports suggest that the film is expected to release on approximately 50,000 screens overseas and around 9,000 screens across India, taking the total global screen count close to 60,000.
If achieved, this would comfortably make Ramayana the widest theatrical release in Indian cinema history, and one of the biggest global releases ever for any film.
The ambitious release strategy reflects the confidence the makers have in the film's global appeal, especially after the positive response to its first teaser and international promotional campaign.
Ramayana vs Avatar 2, RRR and Pushpa 2
Here's how the reported worldwide screen count compares with some of the biggest blockbusters in recent years:
| comparison | |
| Film | Worldwide Screens (Approx.) |
| Ramayana: Part 1 | 59,000–60,000 |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | ~52,000 |
| Pushpa 2: The Rule | 12,000–13,000 |
| RRR | 10,000–11,000 |
The difference is staggering.
While Avatar: The Way of Water held one of the widest global releases in cinema history, Ramayana is now aiming to go even bigger. Compared to India's biggest pan-India hits like RRR and Pushpa 2, the planned rollout is several times larger.
A Global Vision for Indian Mythology
Unlike traditional Indian releases that rely heavily on the domestic market, Ramayana is being designed for a worldwide audience from the very beginning.
The recently released English lip-synced trailer, along with multilingual promotional material, highlights the makers' intention to make the film accessible to international viewers unfamiliar with Indian mythology.
The film stars:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
- Yash as Ravana
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
The ensemble cast, combined with cutting-edge VFX and international distribution support, has positioned the project as one of the most expensive Indian films ever produced.
Diwali Release Locked
The makers have officially announced that:
- Ramayana: Part 1 releases worldwide on November 6, 2026 (Diwali)
- Ramayana: Part 2 is scheduled for Diwali 2027
The two-part saga is expected to adapt one of India's greatest epics on an unprecedented scale, blending Hollywood-level visual effects with Indian storytelling.
Expectations Are Sky High
Following the teaser launch, social media has been flooded with praise for Yash's Ravana, Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Ram, and the film's visual scale.
Trade experts believe the enormous screen count could translate into one of the biggest opening weekends in Indian cinema history, provided audience reception remains positive after release. Several analysts have already called Ramayana one of the most anticipated Indian films of the decade.
With Sony Pictures backing the international rollout and the makers targeting nearly 60,000 screens worldwide, Ramayana is no longer just another Bollywood release—it is shaping up to become a global cinematic event.
Whether it ultimately lives up to the enormous expectations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Indian cinema has never attempted a theatrical launch on this scale before.