Following an impressive theatrical run, Nitesh Tiwari’s "Ramayana: Part 1" is preparing for the next stage of its global release.
The film, which premiered on November 5, 2026, is expected to reach audiences in China, Russia, Japan and South Korea during the first quarter of 2027, between January and March.
According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the makers have already submitted the film for censorship approval in China. The certification process for the other three countries is expected to begin soon.
The expansion comes after a strong start at the global box office, with the film crossing ₹1,200 crore within its first 11 days.
China could be one of the most promising markets for "Ramayana: Part 1". Its grand visuals, mythical characters and fantasy elements may appeal to Chinese audiences who enjoy large-scale fantasy films.
In terms of its visual style, the film evokes popular Chinese fantasy epics such as "Creation of the Gods" and "The Monkey King". This could help it connect with viewers who are familiar with stories about gods, immortals and legendary heroes.
There is also an important connection with Nitesh Tiwari’s earlier blockbuster, "Dangal". Released in China on May 5, 2017, the Aamir Khan film became a massive success, earning approximately ₹1,305 crore in the country.
Its Chinese release, titled "Shuai Jiao Baba" (Let's Wrestle, Dad), connected with audiences through its themes of family, parental sacrifice, discipline and women overcoming social barriers.
Aamir Khan's popularity in China, built through films such as "3 Idiots" and "PK", also played an important role in the tremendous success of "Dangal".
The film opened on around 9,000 screens and grew through strong audience recommendations. Its Chinese earnings were more than double its Indian box office collection, propelling its worldwide total past the ₹2,000 crore mark. It is currently the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time.
If "Ramayana" gets a release clearance in China, and ends up replicating the success of "Dangal", Nitesh will have the distinction of being the Indian cinema equivalent of James Cameron.
However, "Dangal" had a very different performance in the other three markets. It earned approximately ₹8 crore in South Korea and ₹3 crore in Japan. Its theatrical presence in Russia was extremely limited, with a late release in 2024 bringing in only a small amount.
Unlike "Dangal", though, which depended heavily on China for its international success, "Ramayana: Part 1" is targeting all four markets as part of a wider release strategy.
With its large-scale visual effects, familiar mythology and international distribution support from Sony Pictures, the film has an opportunity to reach a much wider audience. Its performance in these countries will show whether Indian mythological cinema can find a strong place in the global theatrical market.
