Highlights:
The release strategy for Ramayana is turning out to be as unusual as the scale of the film itself. While Indian audiences will get to see the highly anticipated epic on Diwali, November 8, the film is scheduled to open in international markets two days earlier, on Friday, November 6.
Producer Namit Malhotra has now confirmed the difference in release dates, explaining that the international rollout follows the standard Friday theatrical schedule in overseas markets.
In an interview with NDTV, Malhotra was asked when Ramayana would be released. He said, “It’ll release in India on Diwali.” When asked whether that meant November 8, he confirmed it.
The interviewer then pointed out that the English version of the recently released Ramayana trailer lists November 6 as the release date. Malhotra explained why international audiences will see the film first.
“So, we are releasing internationally (on November 6). The international distribution works from a Friday standpoint. So, that is on the 6th of November. But India currently we are targeting a release on Diwali.”
Why the international release comes first
The two-day difference is primarily about how theatrical releases are scheduled in different markets. Friday is a major release day for cinemas across international territories. November 6 falls on a Friday, giving Ramayana a conventional overseas opening date.
India, meanwhile, has a major advantage on November 8: Diwali. The festival is one of the biggest moviegoing periods of the year, with families traditionally heading to theaters during the holiday.
Releasing in India on Diwali could therefore give Ramayana a powerful domestic launch while allowing international distributors to begin the film's theatrical run on their preferred Friday.
The strategy also means the film will already be playing in several overseas markets when Indian audiences arrive in theaters on Diwali. Rather than signaling a delay for India, the schedule appears designed to accommodate two different theatrical calendars.
The hype around Ramayana is already building
The release plan comes as anticipation continues to grow around the ambitious two-part adaptation of the Indian epic.
Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, best known for Dangal.
The project has also attracted major international attention because of its scale and technical ambition. Namit Malhotra, who is producing the film, is closely associated with global visual effects through his work in the industry.
The music adds another major attraction. A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer are composing the score, bringing together two internationally recognized names for the project.
Dharma Productions will distribute the film in India, while Sony Pictures has acquired the overseas distribution rights. T-Series has also reportedly secured the music rights to both parts in an advance deal worth Rs. 75 crore.
The first part of Ramayana is planned for Diwali 2026, with the second part scheduled for Diwali 2027.
With Ranbir, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol leading the cast, a major international distributor behind its overseas release and a story known to millions around the world, Ramayana is being positioned as more than a major Indian release.
For international audiences, November 6 will be the first chance to experience the film on the big screen. For India, the wait will continue until Diwali on November 8—potentially making the festival release even more significant.
