The question around Ramayana: Part One‘s release date has finally been answered. According to Pinkvilla, the film will have paid previews in India on 4 November and an official opening day on 5 November, placing it squarely in the pre-Diwali period.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and fronted by Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol. Dharma is releasing it in India; Sony Pictures is handling international markets.
The date puzzle that led here
For weeks, trade watchers had three possible dates in mind. Some expected the Friday before Diwali, 6 November. Others pointed to the day after Diwali, a pattern several big films have followed in the past decade. A Sunday release on Diwali day, 8 November, was also floated, but that turned out to be a misreading of an interview.
A Monday launch would have put India behind international markets, which is awkward for a film pitched as a global event. A Sunday release would have been unconventional for the same reason. The previews-plus-Thursday plan splits the difference.
What the release plan looks like
The working date sheet, as reported, shapes up like this:
- India: paid previews on 4 November; official opening on 5 November.
- North America: previews on Wednesday, release on Thursday.
- United Kingdom: Friday for now, with a possible shift to Thursday or Wednesday.
- East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong are still TBD.
Why pre-Diwali is no longer a red flag
Pre-Diwali used to be treated as a low period for the Indian box office. But recent calendars have changed the arithmetic. In 2024, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again opened on Diwali day itself, usually one of the weakest days for footfalls, and both still found an audience.
India also needs to be at least alongside global markets, where Thursday openings are the norm. Previews on Wednesday give the film that alignment. If the initial demand is strong, the pre-Diwali days are a short runway; from Monday after Diwali, the post-holiday period should provide the bigger bounce.
The schedule is still a moving picture
Pinkvilla cautions that while these dates are more or less locked, release decisions are dynamic and can evolve day to day. East Asia is still undecided, and the UK could still move earlier.
The headline for Indian audiences is simple: Ramayana Part One is coming earlier than the Diwali-weekend chatter suggested. Previews start on 4 November, and the official opening follows on 5 November.
Source: PINKVILLA
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