The release strategy for Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited ‘Ramayana’ has sparked curiosity after its international trailer revealed a November 6, 2026 release date, even as Indian audiences have been expecting the film during the Diwali festive period. Producer Namit Malhotra has now explained why viewers overseas are set to watch the mythological epic before those in India.

Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita, ‘Ramayana’ is being mounted as a two-part global spectacle. The first part is expected to arrive in international markets on November 6, while the Indian release is being targeted for November 8, which falls on Diwali.

Why does ‘Ramayana’ have two release dates?

The difference in dates is primarily linked to how theatrical releases are scheduled in international markets.

In an interview with NDTV, Malhotra explained that overseas distribution generally follows a Friday release pattern. November 6, 2026 falls on a Friday, making it the preferred date for the film’s international rollout.

India, however, is following a different release strategy. According to Malhotra, the makers are targeting Diwali for the domestic release, putting the film’s Indian debut two days after its overseas opening.

“So we are releasing internationally on November 6. The international distribution works from a Friday standpoint, so that's why it's releasing on the 6th of November. But in India, we are currently targeting the Diwali release,” Malhotra said.

The producer also confirmed that the film is being planned as a Diwali release in India when asked whether the November 6 date shown in the trailer represented a change in the domestic schedule.

Why release ‘Ramayana’ on Diwali?

Diwali remains one of the biggest periods for theatrical releases in India, making it a commercially significant window for a film of ‘Ramayana’s scale.

The festival also carries cultural significance for the story of Lord Rama, whose return to Ayodhya is traditionally associated with Diwali celebrations. For the makers, releasing the film around the festival could therefore give the project both a strong commercial window and added cultural relevance.

However, a Diwali release can also present a scheduling challenge. On the main festival day, many families are occupied with celebrations, religious rituals and gatherings, potentially affecting daytime theatre attendance.

Watch trailer:

What happened with ‘Tiger 3’?

Salman Khan’s ‘Tiger 3’ offers a recent example of the unusual box-office dynamics surrounding a Diwali release.

The film opened on Diwali in 2023, when the festival fell on a Sunday. According to Sacnilk, it earned Rs 44.5 crore net in India on its opening day.

For comparison, Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’, which arrived before the Republic Day weekend, recorded a Rs 57 crore net opening in India and went on to cross Rs 280 crore before its first Monday.

‘Tiger 3’ subsequently earned Rs 187.65 crore in India during its first five days, illustrating how festival-day scheduling can influence a film’s initial theatrical momentum.

What is the release date of ‘Ramayana’ in India?

For international audiences, ‘Ramayana’ is currently scheduled to open on November 6, 2026.

In India, the makers are targeting November 8, Diwali. The domestic date is therefore two days later than the overseas release, although the final schedule remains subject to confirmation.

The first part of the ambitious two-film saga stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

The project also has an international creative team, with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman associated with its music. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana’ is being positioned as a large-scale cinematic adaptation aimed at audiences in India and across international markets.

The scale of ‘Ramayana’ has attracted attention since it was first announced. According to Malhotra, the two-part adaptation carries a combined production budget of around $500 million, or more than Rs 4,000 crore.

According to a report by India.com, Ranbir Kapoor is reportedly the highest-paid actor in Ramayana, earning Rs 75 crore for each of the film’s two parts. His total remuneration is said to be Rs 150 crore. Kannada superstar Yash, who plays Ravana and is also a co-producer of the project, is reportedly charging Rs 50 crore for each instalment, taking his total fee to Rs 100 crore.