Ramayana: Part 1 advance bookings soar — ₹4 crore in premium formats, $1M North America premiere

Less than 4% of shows are driving 23% of the gross as premium-format bookings explode — and the overseas premiere advance has hit $1 million.

The numbers coming out of the advance-booking window are the strongest of the year for an Indian film. Premium formats — IMAX, 4DX and large-format screens — have crossed ₹4 crore for day one despite accounting for under 4% of shows, underlining the event-film pull of the mythological epic. Overseas, the North America premiere advance touching $1 million has trade watchers talking about a $20 million-plus opening weekend.

The film cleared the CBFC with a U certificate and no cuts, widening its family audience, and the LA premiere added a personal touch: Yash's children Ayra and Yatharv watched the film there in what was described as their first movie experience.

Trade analysts see Ramayana: Part 1 as the key driver that could make 2026 the highest-grossing year ever at the Indian box office, with ₹15,000 crore in sight. The next test is whether the advance frenzy converts into the sustained weekday holds that define true blockbusters.