Ramayana release date: Namit Malhotra confirms India release on Diwali, two days after international premiere

Ranbir Kapoor (Picture via YouTube trailer)

Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited Ramayana has finally got an exact international release date, but the film's India release may take place two days later. Producer Namit Malhotra has revealed that while the Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer is scheduled to release internationally on November 6, the makers are currently targeting a Diwali release in India on November 8.

The film had earlier been announced for a Diwali release without a specific date. However, the English trailer, released earlier this week, confirmed November 6 as the global release date. The announcement has now led to some confusion among Indian audiences, given that Diwali falls on November 8 this year.

Ramayana to be released 2 days later in India after International premiere

Speaking to NDTV during the inauguration of Prime Focus Studio's Phase 1 at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Mumbai, Malhotra clarified the release strategy. "It (Ramayana) will release in India on Diwali," he said.

Addressing why the international and Indian dates are different, the producer explained, "We are releasing internationally (on November 6) because the international distribution works from a Friday standpoint, which is the 6th of November. But (in) India, currently, we are targeting the Diwali release."

If the plan remains unchanged, Ramayana Part One will therefore open in international markets on Friday, November 6, before arriving in Indian theatres on Sunday, November 8, coinciding with Diwali.

All about the film

The film has already generated considerable excitement following the release of its trailer. Malhotra revealed that the trailer crossed a billion views within five days, calling the response a significant moment for Indian cinema. "The trailer was released last week, and I think it crossed over a billion views in five days, which is a great moment for India," he told ANI.

He also expressed gratitude for the response from audiences worldwide and said the team wants to take the epic to a global audience. "The aspiration is to now take it to the world as we are with our partnership with Sony Pictures. We are hoping to make sure that Ramayana now releases globally as a big universal film," he said.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is a two-part adaptation of Valmiki's epic. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, while Yash essays Ravana and Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. The ensemble cast includes Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi and Kunal Kapoor, among others.

The first part is scheduled for release in November, while Ramayana Part Two is slated to arrive next year, ahead of Diwali.