Blab Entertainment
Ramayana Part 1 Eyes China Release as Bollywood Seeks Global Box-Office Boost
The makers of Ramayana: Part 1 are reportedly eyeing a theatrical debut in China, a strategy that would follow a four‑day promotional tour by lead actor Ranbir Kapoor, co‑stars Yash and Sai Pallavi, and director Nitesh Tiwari. The tour is slated to begin on 24 September, the same day the film is scheduled to be screened at the inaugural edition of the Pingyao International Film Festival, and would line up with China’s Golden Week holiday that starts on National Day, 1 October, according to the media outlet Wion.
China’s box‑office potential has long been a benchmark for Indian filmmakers. Aamir Khan’s 2016 sports drama Dangal earned more than ₹1,300 crore in China after a May 2017 release on 9,000 screens, compared with a domestic gross of ₹535 crore. The film’s success highlighted the scale of China’s exhibition network, which, as of December 2025, contains about 81,000 screens across 12,000 theatres, roughly nine times the number of screens in India. In a recent interview with Variety India, Khan noted that India’s 9,000‑screen footprint is only a tenth of China’s.
Ramayana is a two‑film franchise that industry sources say could cost around ₹4,000 crore in total, or roughly ₹2,000 crore per film. Producer Namita Malhotra has emphasised the need for a global promotional strategy, describing the project as an “Avatar meets Gladiator” moment in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s budget, cast and the scale of its visual effects—handled by VFX house DNEG, known for Dune and Oppenheimer—suggest that a strong overseas showing could be essential for recouping costs.
The cultural resonance of mythological epics in China is illustrated by the 2024 release of Ne Zha 2, an animated film that earned more than $2.15 billion worldwide, with 90 % of that figure coming from China. The film’s themes of heroism, gods and dragons mirror those found in the Indian Ramayana, and its success demonstrates that audiences in China are receptive to large‑scale mythic storytelling.
The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Rama has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While Kapoor’s fan base is enthusiastic, some viewers question whether his appearance matches traditional depictions of the deity. The film’s ensemble also includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Arun Govil as Dashrath, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara.
If the China release proceeds, the distribution plan for Ramayana Part 2—scheduled for a Diwali 2027 release—will be informed by the first film’s performance in the country. The makers have already begun discussions with Chinese exhibitors and distributors, and a potential screening at the Pingyao festival would provide a high‑profile platform for the film. The overall strategy reflects a broader trend of Indian filmmakers targeting China’s second‑largest theatrical market to offset domestic box‑office volatility.
At present, no official confirmation of a Chinese theatrical release has been issued. The promotional tour is expected to begin on 24 September, with the film’s global release slated for November. The outcome of the China negotiations will determine whether Ramayana Part 1 joins the growing list of Indian films that have found commercial success overseas, following earlier successes such as Secret Superstar, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Andhadhun and Hindi Medium.
China’s box‑office potential has long been a benchmark for Indian filmmakers. Aamir Khan’s 2016 sports drama Dangal earned more than ₹1,300 crore in China after a May 2017 release on 9,000 screens, compared with a domestic gross of ₹535 crore. The film’s success highlighted the scale of China’s exhibition network, which, as of December 2025, contains about 81,000 screens across 12,000 theatres, roughly nine times the number of screens in India. In a recent interview with Variety India, Khan noted that India’s 9,000‑screen footprint is only a tenth of China’s.
Ramayana is a two‑film franchise that industry sources say could cost around ₹4,000 crore in total, or roughly ₹2,000 crore per film. Producer Namita Malhotra has emphasised the need for a global promotional strategy, describing the project as an “Avatar meets Gladiator” moment in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s budget, cast and the scale of its visual effects—handled by VFX house DNEG, known for Dune and Oppenheimer—suggest that a strong overseas showing could be essential for recouping costs.
The cultural resonance of mythological epics in China is illustrated by the 2024 release of Ne Zha 2, an animated film that earned more than $2.15 billion worldwide, with 90 % of that figure coming from China. The film’s themes of heroism, gods and dragons mirror those found in the Indian Ramayana, and its success demonstrates that audiences in China are receptive to large‑scale mythic storytelling.
The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Rama has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While Kapoor’s fan base is enthusiastic, some viewers question whether his appearance matches traditional depictions of the deity. The film’s ensemble also includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Arun Govil as Dashrath, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara.
If the China release proceeds, the distribution plan for Ramayana Part 2—scheduled for a Diwali 2027 release—will be informed by the first film’s performance in the country. The makers have already begun discussions with Chinese exhibitors and distributors, and a potential screening at the Pingyao festival would provide a high‑profile platform for the film. The overall strategy reflects a broader trend of Indian filmmakers targeting China’s second‑largest theatrical market to offset domestic box‑office volatility.
At present, no official confirmation of a Chinese theatrical release has been issued. The promotional tour is expected to begin on 24 September, with the film’s global release slated for November. The outcome of the China negotiations will determine whether Ramayana Part 1 joins the growing list of Indian films that have found commercial success overseas, following earlier successes such as Secret Superstar, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Andhadhun and Hindi Medium.
