Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Hit Sets Records Across Asia
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has earned over $38 million overseas and ₹564 crore net in India in eight days. It set opening records in Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam, and is now the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film in Nepal.
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana hit has earned over $38 million overseas and ₹564 crore net in India in eight days, with record openings across Asian countries where the epic is part of local history, according to figures published on November 13, 2026.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana. It got off to a subpar start for a film of its scale, then took off during the post-Diwali break in India and reached ₹1000 crore in eight days.
Records in Southeast Asia
In Indonesia, the film premiered on November 11, six days after its worldwide release. According to local trackers, it made $100k through the premiere, the best start for an Indian film in the country.
The Ramayana has existed in Indonesia for over 1900 years. Localised versions include the Kakawin Ramayana, the Balinese Ramakavaca and the Hikayat Seri Rama.
In Thailand, the film has earned just under $1 million in a week, one of the best performances by an Indian film there. Cambodia, where the epic is called Reamker and is part of the school syllabus, gave it a $150K opening weekend. That is again the best for an Indian film in the country.
Malaysia has also embraced Ramayana Part One. It raked in $900K in under a week.
Vietnam and Nepal
Vietnam is not known as a big market for Indian films, which struggle to cross $20K there. Ramayana passed that mark on its first day and has already earned $350K.
The country has a 1300-year-old temple dedicated to the sage Valmiki, the traditional author of the epic. The Ramayana is taught there as part of the world literature curriculum in high schools and universities, rather than as a religious text.
Nepal has long been friendly to big Indian releases, which often out-earn local films. Even so, Ramayana's run has been historic. It has earned about ₹8 crore in its extended opening week, making it the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film in the country.
That already surpasses the final collections of RRR, Pathaan and Jawan. The film is expected to beat the all-time record held by Baahubali 2 in the coming week.
Ramayana is the first part of a duology, directed by Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. It is the most expensive Indian film ever produced. Sai Pallavi plays Sita and Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman. The second part is set for a Diwali 2028 release.
