New Delhi: Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has made a strong start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 32.81 crore by 4 pm on its opening day, November 5. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has already surpassed the opening-day collection of Ranveer Singh‘s Dhurandhar, which earned Rs 28.60 crore on its first day.

Released worldwide ahead of the Diwali weekend, the mythological epic arrived in five languages — Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. Strong advance bookings and encouraging occupancy during the morning and afternoon shows have given the film considerable momentum.

With evening and night shows yet to be included in the reported figures, the film is expected to add substantially to its opening-day total. The Rs 50-crore mark is within reach, although its final collection will depend on how audiences respond to the later screenings.

Ramayana Part 1 box office collection on Day 1

According to figures cited from Sacnilk, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend had collected Rs 32.81 crore by 4 pm on Thursday. The Hindi version accounted for the largest share, with Rs 24.17 crore. The Kannada version contributed Rs 3.91 crore, while the Telugu and Tamil versions collected Rs 2.98 crore and Rs 1.11 crore, respectively.

The figures indicate a strong opening across language markets, with the Hindi version leading the early collection chart. The Kannada performance has also added to the film’s pan-India opening, while the Telugu and Tamil versions have contributed to its overall total.

The film’s early earnings have already taken it past the reported first-day collection of Dhurandhar. However, the comparison is based on the figures available at the time of reporting, and the final opening-day totals may change as more shows are accounted for.

The remaining screenings are particularly important because major releases often record higher footfalls during evening and night shows. If the film maintains its momentum, it could finish its first day comfortably above the Rs 50-crore mark.

Ranbir Kapoor eyes his biggest opening

The opening has put Ranbir Kapoor in contention for the biggest first-day collection of his career. His previous record opener, Animal, collected Rs 54.75 crore on its opening day, according to the figures cited in the source report.

With Ramayana having earned Rs 32.81 crore by 4 pm, the film has a sizeable opportunity to move closer to or surpass that benchmark once the full day’s collections are available. The final figure will also offer a clearer indication of the scale of audience interest in the ambitious adaptation.

The film is also being compared with Yash’s biggest opening, KGF: Chapter 2. The Kannada star’s action drama reportedly collected Rs 116 crore net in India on its first day. That remains a considerably higher benchmark for Ramayana to challenge.

The comparison is significant because the new film brings together two major stars with strong audiences across different language markets. Ranbir has a substantial following in Hindi cinema, while Yash became a pan-India star following the success of the KGF franchise.

Nevertheless, the opening-day figures alone will not determine the film’s overall box-office performance. Its collections over the following days, audience response and ability to sustain interest after the holiday period will be important in assessing its commercial prospects.

A five-language release strengthens its reach

One of the major factors behind the film’s opening is its wide theatrical release. By arriving in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has been positioned as a pan-India event rather than a release limited to one regional market.

The language-wise figures available by 4 pm show that the Hindi version is driving the collection. The Kannada version has also made a notable contribution, while the Telugu and Tamil releases have added to the film’s overall earnings. The Malayalam version was also part of the worldwide release, although a separate collection figure for it was not included in the reported breakdown.

The film’s release ahead of the Diwali weekend has placed it in a potentially favourable window for attracting audiences. However, the initial numbers will need to be supported by consistent collections in the coming days. The response during the first weekend could provide a better picture of whether the film can maintain its opening momentum.

About Ramayana: Rise of a Legend

Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is a cinematic adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. It is the first instalment of a planned two-part adaptation of the epic.

The supporting cast includes Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal and Rakul Preet Singh are also part of the ensemble cast.

The project has attracted attention for its scale, cast and international technical collaboration. Music for the film has been composed by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, bringing together two internationally recognised composers. The visual effects are handled by DNEG, a company known for its work on major international film productions.

The makers have sought to present the familiar story on a large cinematic scale, with the production combining Indian performers and creative teams with international expertise. The film’s ambitious presentation and its subject have contributed to the considerable anticipation surrounding its theatrical release.

The adaptation also carries expectations because the Ramayana is widely familiar to audiences across India. Its characters and central story have been retold through television, theatre, literature and cinema over several decades. Bringing the epic to theatres as a large-scale two-part production therefore places the film under considerable public scrutiny.

Opening-day milestone sets up the weekend

The early box-office performance gives Ramayana: Rise of a Legend a promising start. Its reported Rs 32.81-crore collection by 4 pm has taken it past Dhurandhar’s opening-day figure, while the remaining shows offer an opportunity to increase the total.

The immediate benchmarks are Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal opening of Rs 54.75 crore and Yash’s KGF: Chapter 2 first-day India net collection of Rs 116 crore. Whether the film can cross the former, or make a serious challenge to the latter, will become clearer after the complete Day 1 figures are reported.

For now, the film has made a strong beginning across its major language markets. Its performance over the Diwali weekend will be crucial in determining whether the opening translates into sustained box-office success.