Ramayana clocks $771K in overseas advance bookings

The Diwali box office race is already moving before Indian ticket windows have opened. “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend”, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, has banked roughly USD 771,000 in overseas advance sales across three markets, with North America doing most of the heavy lifting.

North America leads early overseas demand

According to figures tracked by Films Discourse, North America has contributed USD 558,000, or about 72 per cent of the overseas total. The United Kingdom follows with USD 141,000, and Australia has added around USD 72,000.

Opening-day pre-sales tell a similar story across borders. In the three tracked markets, November 5 has generated around USD 162,000 in advance bookings, with the US at roughly USD 71,000 and the UK close behind at USD 64,000.

That early energy matters because the film’s US premiere screenings are set for Wednesday, November 4, the day before its reported November 5 opening. Around 10,800 tickets have been sold for those premieres, generating close to USD 210,000 in the US alone. Add Canada, and North American premiere pre-sales cross USD 250,000.

Premium screens are shaping the story

A striking detail is the average US premiere ticket price: nearly USD 19.50. That points to genuine demand for premium formats like IMAX and 3D, though the figures do not say exactly how much of the money comes from those screenings.

Premium positioning will be a key subplot in the overseas market. Takashi Yamazaki’s “Godzilla: Minus Zero” opens in the US on November 6, a day after Ramayana, and is being positioned as a major IMAX release. The previous film, “Godzilla Minus One”, grossed around USD 57 million in North America and won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, so the franchise has established IMAX credibility with international audiences.

What to watch as India bookings open

The next big signal arrives on Dussehra, October 20, when India advance bookings open. Trade chatter has already thrown around the possibility of a Rs 100 crore opening day in India, a mark very few films have reached. Overseas pre-sales are only one early indicator, but they offer a useful read on audience intent before the domestic window opens.

• North America: USD 558,000 (about 72 per cent of overseas pre-sales)
• United Kingdom: USD 141,000
• Australia: USD 72,000
• US premieres: 10,800 tickets, about USD 210,000

With more than two weeks to go, the film is now closing in on USD 1 million in overseas advance bookings. If the India window performs as trade circles are speculating, the next headline will be a domestic number rather than an overseas one. For fans, the practical takeaway is simple: if you want opening-weekend IMAX or 3D seats, do not wait for the release week to make a plan.

Source: The Times of India