With Nitesh Tiwari’s budget of thousands of crores of rupees The Ramayana is already being touted as the biggest cinematic gamble in Indian film history. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, and backed by producers Namit Malhotra and Yash, the mythological epic has high expectations.

But can it really recoup its investment, challenging the records set by such films Dhurandhar 2, And became India’s highest grossing film? And how will Nitesh Tiwari perform globally, especially in China? the riot Was there a big success? NDTV spoke to trade experts Ramesh Bala, Akshay Rathi and Komal Nahata to understand the film’s box office prospects.

Opening day: May The Ramayana challenge Dhurandhar 2?

Three trade experts agree on one thing: Ramayana is headed for a big start.

Trade analyst Ramesh Bala expects the film to collect around Rs 125 crore on its opening day in India. “I think Ramayana will probably make Rs 125 crore or something in India.” Dhurandhar 2 102.55 crore in India on the first day, as reported by trade tracker Secnilak.

However, Bala accepts the comparison Dhurandhar 2 are complex. “Dhurandhar 2 IIt’s obviously a sequel, so it was getting a lot of hype, and it had a good opening across India.”

He explains that The Ramayana Premium formats like IMAX have advantages and have a strong appeal in North India. “The Hindi version will definitely do better as Ramayana has the advantage of IMAX.”

According to him, the film will have the strongest opening at the Hindi belt. “I think it will take off very well in northern states like the Hindi belt.”

Trade commentator and analyst Akshay Rathi is a bit more conservative, predicting a total nationwide opening of over Rs 100 crore across all languages.

“We are still looking at a first-day total box office of around 100 crore across all languages ​​across the country.” Rathi believes that the timing of the release may slightly affect the initial numbers. “This is the time before Diwali, where most Indians are doing their Diwali shopping and preparations.”

Similarly, seasoned business analyst Komal Nahata does not seem to be leaving the Ramayana behind Dhurandhar 2 On day 1. “It is unfair to compare it Dhurandhar 2 Because it is releasing in very short time. So obviously it won’t cross rough 2″

His estimate is also around the century. “I think one day Hindi should collect around Rs 60 crore, and all languages ​​can get Rs 100 crore or more.”

The The Ramayana Advantage: A story that every Indian knows

Although experts differ on the numbers, they unanimously agree that Ramayana has a unique advantage that few Indian films have had before.

Bala says the film has all the ingredients of a big blockbuster. “We haven’t seen the Ramayana or the Mahabharata on the big screen very often; it has mostly belonged to TV so far.”

He adds, “Ranbir, Yash, Sai Pallavi, big stars, and AR Rahman. This film has everything to be a great spectacle.”

Rathi believes that the combination of mythology, star power, and visual spectacle makes for a near-perfect box-office package. “Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, telling a story that all of us Indians have grown up hearing from our parents and grandparents, is a recipe for absolute fireworks at the box office.”

He also highlighted the contribution of Oscar-winning VFX giant DNEG. “Directed by someone as brilliant as Nitesh Tiwari, with the scale and spectacle value delivered by an Oscar-winning company like DNEG.”

Can China become Ramayana’s biggest foreign market?

China remains one of the biggest talking points around the film. However, trade experts are divided. Despite the success of Nitesh Tiwari, Bala took a cautious approach riot “riot” Worked for various reasons. He adds, “The director is the same, but the style is different, and it’s Indian mythology, which I’m not sure how many people know about.”

Bala, therefore, prefers to wait before making bold predictions. “I wouldn’t get too excited about China right now.” Rathi is far more optimistic. “I see no reason why, with the right kind of marketing and the right kind of appeal, it can do well in many markets, not just in China.”

He argues that for an international audience, the Ramayana is effectively an entirely new story. “For people who are not Indians, it’s really a new story.”

Komal Nahta is also booming on the Chinese market. “I really hope it likes it because a film like this coming from India will do very well.” “There are so many women-centric stories out there,” he says, drawing parallels with films like Dangal and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

According to Nahata, Sita’s emotional journey can similarly connect with Chinese audiences.

can do The Ramayana Recover its investment?

No discussion around The Ramayana has been completed without addressing its reported budget, which is Rs 4,000 crore. Interestingly, all three experts urge caution about the widely circulated figure.

“There is one thing; Rs 4,000 crore can be combined in two parts,” says Bala. He also notes that many of the costs may be lower since producer Namit Malhotra owns the VFX company working on the project. “We don’t know if it’s Rs 2,000 crore for the first part. It’s anyone’s guess.”

“According to my calculations, the first phase is around Rs 1,200 crore,” says Nahata. Yet all three believe the project has a realistic path to profitability.

Bala says non-theatrical revenue will play an important role. “OTT, satellite rights are there; non-theatrical rights are there.” More importantly, he believes that repeated viewings can determine the final outcome of a film. “Films that have done well have been repeated many times.”

His conclusion, “It has the ability to recover the budget.”

Rathi sees the film as a major triumph for Indian cinema, regardless of its final box-office total. “What Mr. Namit Malhotra is doing is not just making a great film, but potentially opening the doors for Indian cinema worldwide.”

Nahata is also optimistic. “I hope so. I think it will do a lot of good.”

Ramayana can be beat Dhurandhar 2 In the Lifetime collection?

This is probably the biggest question. Bala believes that the potential is definitely there. “On paper, yes.” “It has a great story, a great production, great music and great actors,” he explains.

Yet he also offers a word of caution. “The ingredients are there. Whether they cook it well, that’s for you to see.”

Rathi goes even further. “It has all the ingredients and has the potential to become the highest grossing Indian film of all time.” Nahata remains more measured, refusing to make a definitive call ahead of release. “It’s very hard to say.”

How much can be The Ramayana Earn worldwide?

Experts once again offer different estimates. Bala is expected to have a strong run if the audience response is positive. “It has the potential to theatrically raise huge numbers like Rs 1,000-1,500 crore.”

Later, he adds, “I think it will definitely do some Rs 1,000 crore.”

Nahata shared his point saying, “Could be Rs 1,500, could be Rs 1,600, could be Rs 1,700. India.”

Rathi declines to divulge any figures but admits the ceiling is exceptional. “It has the potential to become the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide.”

Premium Ticket Pricing: Smart Strategy or Risky Move?

Reports of IMAX tickets crossing Rs 1,000-2,000 have sparked heated debate. Bala sees a strategy that works in the short term. “Makers will cash in on higher ticket prices.”

But he expects prices to drop after the opening week. “I’m expecting ticket prices to go down, and it can’t stay that high.”

Nahata agrees. “It’s not a bad strategy because they’ve invested so much.” He adds, “If you can’t afford it, you’ll have to wait. Or watch it in non-IMAX.”

Verdict: A blockbuster waiting to happen?

If there is one conclusion from the trade, it is: The Ramayana Has extraordinary potential but remains an untested proposition until audiences see it.

Bala probably sums it up best:“As long as people buy what it’s being sold, the sky’s the limit for box office.”

Rathi echoes that optimism. “This film has what it takes in every department.”

And Nahata believes the sheer curiosity factor will work in its favour. “There’s the FOMO factor. No one will want to miss it because everyone will be talking about it.”

For now, the consensus among business experts is clear. Ramayana may not easily surpass Dhurandhar 2 on opening day, but if word of mouth and audiences embrace Nitesh Tiwari’s vision, the film has every chance of becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest box-office successes.

Also Read: 10 Years, Rs 4,000 Crore: How Nitesh Tiwari Made Ranbir Kapoor’s World The Ramayana