'Ramayana' Eyes Rs 100 Crore Opening, Lifetime Collections Could Touch Rs 3,000 Crore

Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming epic 'Ramayana' is set to hit theatres today, with trade experts predicting a massive box-office opening of Rs 75–100 crore on its first day across languages. Industry estimates suggest the film could earn between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore during its theatrical run if it connects with audiences.

Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Yash as Ravana, the film is arriving amid the Diwali festive season. Its grand scale and religious significance have raised expectations among exhibitors and distributors.

Film exhibitor Vishek Chauhan said the film should not be judged by conventional commercial cinema standards, as audiences would approach it with faith and devotion. He believes it could collect Rs 2,500–3,000 crore if it connects with devotees of Lord Rama. Distributor Raj Bansal also expects the film to emerge as India's biggest cinematic success, potentially surpassing the 'Dhurandhar' franchise.

Advance bookings have shown encouraging signs, with Cinépolis India selling more than one lakh tickets and planning over 1,600 shows on opening day. Miraj Entertainment plans to screen the film across 225 screens, with 960 shows daily in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil.

However, exhibitors have cautioned that the initial collections could be affected by Dhanteras, Choti Diwali and Diwali celebrations, as families may prioritise religious ceremonies and gatherings. They expect business to gain momentum from Monday.

The film is also facing competition in southern markets from Suriya's 'Scene' and Nayanthara's 'Mookuthi Amman 2'. Trade expert Ramesh Bala estimates its southern collections at Rs 30–40 crore, with Karnataka expected to perform better because of Yash's popularity.

Ticket prices reportedly start at around Rs 200, while some premium IMAX tickets cost Rs 3,000 or more. Exhibitors have largely avoided blanket price increases to attract family audiences.

Featuring music by A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer, with visual effects by Oscar-winning company DNEG, the film is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. Its long-term box-office performance will ultimately depend on audience reception and word of mouth.