Ramayana crosses ₹1,000 crore worldwide in 8 days, makes record start in Asian markets

Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part One has crossed the ₹1,000-crore mark worldwide within eight days of its theatrical release, with the Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer making a strong impression not only in India but also across several Asian markets where the epic has deep cultural and historical roots.

After a relatively modest opening for a film of its scale, the production gained momentum during the post-Diwali holiday period in India. Its overseas performance has also exceeded expectations, particularly in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

According to trade estimates, the film's worldwide gross stood at ₹1,033.55 crore after eight days, making it the 11th Indian film to enter the ₹1,000-crore club. Its India net collection reached ₹564.60 crore, while the domestic gross stood at ₹675.05 crore. Overseas markets contributed approximately ₹358.50 crore, or more than $38 million.

The film has become the third-fastest Indian production to reach the global milestone, behind Pushpa 2: The Rule and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, both of which achieved it in seven days.

Southeast Asian countries respond to the epic

The Ramayana has a long history across Southeast Asia, where different adaptations of the ancient Indian epic have been part of local traditions, literature and cultural practices for centuries. Although Valmiki's version is among the best-known accounts in India, the story has travelled across borders through numerous regional interpretations.

There are around 300 versions of the epic worldwide, including adaptations in Southeast Asian countries and Sri Lanka. Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas and Valmiki's Ramayana are also widely known in Hindu-majority Nepal.

Indonesia, where the story has been adapted into several local literary and cultural traditions, has given the film a strong reception. The Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer premiered there on November 11, six days after its worldwide release. According to local box-office trackers, it earned around $100,000, or just under ₹1 crore, on its premiere day. This is reportedly the biggest opening for an Indian film in the country.

Indonesia's connection with the epic dates back more than 1,900 years. Its local adaptations include the Kakawin Ramayana, the Balinese Ramakavaca and the Hikayat Seri Rama, each of which has existed for centuries.

Thailand has also responded strongly to the film. The country's cultural connection with the Ramayana is reflected in the Ramakien, its local adaptation of the epic, traditionally associated with the Thai royal and literary heritage. Tiwari's film has earned close to $1 million, equivalent to around ₹9 crore, in Thailand within a week, making it one of the strongest performances by an Indian film in the market.

In Cambodia, the Ramayana is known as Reamker and forms part of the school curriculum. The country is also home to Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The film recorded an opening weekend collection of approximately $150,000 in Cambodia, reportedly the biggest opening for an Indian film there.

Malaysia has also contributed to the film's overseas earnings. Ramayana: Part One has collected around $900,000, or approximately ₹8 crore, in the country in less than a week.

Vietnam emerges as a major surprise

One of the more striking aspects of the film's overseas performance has been its reception in Vietnam, a market where Indian films have traditionally struggled to attract large audiences.

Indian releases in the country have generally found it difficult to cross $20,000, equivalent to around ₹15-18 lakh. However, Ramayana crossed that figure on its opening day itself and has already earned approximately $350,000, or ₹3 crore, in the country.

Vietnam has historical links with Hinduism through the Champa dynasty, which governed parts of the region for around 1,500 years and embraced both Hinduism and Buddhism. The country has several Hindu temples, including a temple dedicated to sage Valmiki that is around 1,300 years old.

The Ramayana is also taught in Vietnam as part of world literature courses in high schools and universities, rather than being treated exclusively as a religious text. This cultural and literary familiarity has helped the film connect with audiences beyond India's traditional overseas markets.

Ramayana achieves a major milestone in Nepal

Nepal has long been an important overseas market for Indian cinema, with major Hindi releases often performing strongly and sometimes earning more than local productions. Ramayana has taken that relationship a step further with an impressive opening run.

The film has earned approximately NPR 12.80 crore, equivalent to around ₹8 crore, during its extended opening week in the country. This has already made it the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film in Nepal, taking it past the lifetime collections of RRR, Pathaan and Jawan.

The film is now within reach of the all-time record held by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which collected NPR 25.20 crore in Nepal. Ramayana is expected to challenge that figure in the coming week if its current performance continues.

The popularity of the epic in Nepal is supported by the country's cultural and religious connections with the story, particularly through the traditions associated with Valmiki's Ramayana and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas.

Cast, production and sequel details

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. The production is among the most expensive Indian films ever made.

Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, Yash appears as Ravana and Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman. The film's second instalment is scheduled to release during Diwali 2028.

With its domestic collections crossing ₹564 crore net and overseas earnings exceeding $38 million in eight days, the first instalment has established itself as a major box-office success. Its performance across countries with their own longstanding versions of the epic has also given the film a wider international reach.