Ramayana On The Big Screen: A Look At Box Office Hits And Misses Ahead Of Ranbir Kapoor’s Epic Adaptation

The epic saga of the Ramayana, one of India’s most revered texts, has inspired filmmakers across generations to adapt it for the big screen. With the recent announcement of Nitesh Tiwari’s highly-anticipated two-part film Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, the spotlight once again turns to how various adaptations of this timeless tale have performed at the box office. Tiwari’s adaptation will also feature South Indian star Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, KGF actor Yash as the demon king Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. This epic saga is set to release its first part on Diwali 2026, followed by the second on Diwali 2027.

In light of this exciting announcement, let’s explore some previous cinematic interpretations of the Ramayana and how they fared theatrically.

A Journey Through Films Inspired by the Ramayana
Several films over the years have drawn on the Ramayana’s characters and themes, though each took creative liberties with the original story. From direct adaptations to narratives inspired by the epic, the box office track record of these films offers a mixed bag, reflecting both the reverence for the tale and the challenges of adapting it for diverse audiences.

Singham Again (2024)
Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again represents a contemporary, action-packed interpretation loosely inspired by the Ramayana. Ajay Devgn returns as DCP Bajirao Singham, a character whose commitment to justice is reminiscent of Lord Rama’s righteousness. His wife Avni Kamat, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan, draws parallels to Sita, as she is kidnapped by a Ravana-like antagonist named Danger Lanka, played by Arjun Kapoor.

Singham Again enjoyed a massive opening, driven by Shetty’s loyal fanbase and the appeal of Devgn in a role associated with courage and honor. While the movie experienced a strong opening weekend, mixed reviews led to a more moderate performance in the following weeks. However, Singham Again is projected to close with respectable box office numbers, a testament to the enduring appeal of Shetty’s action-driven storytelling and the Ramayana-inspired themes that resonate with Indian audiences.

Adipurush (2023)
Om Raut’s Adipurush attempted a grand retelling of the Ramayana with Prabhas as Raghava (a reimagined Lord Rama) and Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Goddess Sita). The film also starred Sunny Singh as Raghava’s brother Shesh and Saif Ali Khan as the menacing Lankesh (Ravana). Adipurush made a promising debut with a global opening of ₹103 crore, generating substantial excitement due to its high-profile cast and lavish production.

Despite its grand opening, Adipurush faced severe criticism from both audiences and critics, particularly due to perceived misrepresentations of key characters and excessive CGI effects that many felt detracted from the story. The film ultimately grossed ₹353.50 crore, a figure that fell far short of expectations for a film of its scale and budget. Although Adipurush aimed to capture the essence of the Ramayana, the mixed response highlights the difficulty of balancing traditional storytelling with modern cinematic technology and aesthetics.

RRR (2022)
Though not a direct adaptation of the Ramayana, RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, incorporated symbolic references to the epic. Set in colonial India, the film portrays South superstar Ram Charan as Rama Raju, a character whose courage and resilience echo Lord Rama’s. Alia Bhatt plays Sita, Rama Raju’s fiancée, while Jr NTR’s Komaram Bheem is likened to Hanuman, the beloved devotee of Rama, due to his physical strength and loyal demeanor.

RRR became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2022, captivating audiences worldwide with its action sequences, emotional depth, and allusions to India’s mythology. The movie’s subtle nods to the Ramayana helped it resonate with viewers, contributing to its success without directly retelling the ancient story. RRR’s blend of mythological inspiration and historical drama proved to be a winning formula, showcasing how thematic elements from the Ramayana can enhance storytelling and appeal to modern audiences.

Ram Setu (2022)
Directed by Abhishek Sharma, Ram Setu stars Akshay Kumar as an archaeologist who embarks on a quest to uncover the origins of the legendary Ram Setu bridge, believed to have been built by Lord Rama’s vanara army to reach Lanka. The film also features Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha in supporting roles.

Ram Setu aimed to explore the mythology surrounding the bridge, blending history, science, and spirituality. However, the movie’s performance was modest, especially in comparison to other Diwali releases. While Ram Setu didn’t make a significant impact, it still managed to outshine its co-release Thank God at the box office. Its moderate success underscores the challenge of captivating audiences with historical and mythological narratives while competing with high-octane commercial films.

Raavan (2010)
Mani Ratnam’s Raavan took an unconventional approach, narrating the story from the perspective of the antagonist, inspired by Ravana. Set against a backdrop of lush forests and mountains, Raavan starred Abhishek Bachchan as Beera Munda, a character with shades of Ravana. Aishwarya Rai played Ragini Sharma, loosely inspired by Sita, and Vikram appeared as Dev Pratap Sharma, echoing Rama.

The film explored themes of justice, loyalty, and perspective, challenging the viewer to question who the real villain is. Raavan was released as a bilingual, with the Tamil version receiving a warmer reception than the Hindi one, which was deemed a commercial disappointment. While it struggled in the Hindi-speaking market, the film’s unique narrative structure and exploration of Ravana’s perspective remain noteworthy, contributing to discussions around the complexities of good and evil.

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1993)
A beloved classic, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is an animated film co-produced by India and Japan, offering a vivid retelling of the Ramayana in a format accessible to audiences of all ages. Released in 1993, the film stands out as an influential cultural artifact, especially for those who grew up watching it on home video. It features striking animation and a faithful adaptation that has earned it a special place in the hearts of Indian viewers.

Interestingly, The Legend of Prince Rama never had a theatrical release in India due to government restrictions at the time. Recently, there was an announcement for a theatrical re-release, but it has since been postponed indefinitely. Despite its limited initial release, the animated film is celebrated for its respectful and engaging portrayal of the Ramayana, showcasing the timeless appeal of the story across different cultures and formats.

Anticipation for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
The upcoming release of Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana has generated significant excitement. With an A-list cast and ambitious production values, this adaptation promises to be one of the most comprehensive cinematic portrayals of the Ramayana to date. The decision to release the film in two parts, over two consecutive Diwali holidays, reflects the scale of the project and the belief in its potential to captivate audiences over multiple installments.

While previous adaptations have explored various aspects of the Ramayana, Tiwari’s Ramayana aims to deliver a faithful, large-scale cinematic experience that could set a new benchmark in Indian mythology-based films. By casting actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol in pivotal roles, the filmmakers hope to draw audiences into a visually stunning and emotionally resonant world inspired by the ancient epic.

Box Office Lessons from Past Adaptations
The box office performance of films inspired by the Ramayana highlights several key lessons for filmmakers attempting to adapt such revered material:

Balancing Faithfulness and Modernization: Films like Adipurush reveal the challenges of blending traditional storytelling with modern technology and aesthetics. Audiences often expect a certain level of respect for the source material, and deviations can sometimes lead to disappointment.

Cultural Sensitivity and Respect: Given the Ramayana’s deep cultural significance, films that handle the subject with respect tend to resonate more. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, for example, remains cherished for its careful and respectful adaptation, showing that audiences appreciate fidelity to the epic’s essence.

Innovative Interpretations: Projects like RRR and Raavan demonstrate that while faithful adaptations are valued, innovative takes can also find success by offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes. By reimagining or reframing characters, filmmakers can engage audiences in unique ways.

High Production Quality and Strong Narratives: Films like RRR and potentially Tiwari’s Ramayana indicate that audiences are drawn to high-quality production and strong storytelling, especially for epics. The anticipation around Tiwari’s project reflects the hope for a visually and narratively rich experience.

Strategic Release Dates: Scheduling releases around significant festivals, such as Diwali, can boost box office performance. The planned Diwali releases for Ramayana Part 1 and Part 2 underscore the strategic importance of timing for maximized audience reach.

As Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana approaches its release, all eyes are on whether this adaptation will capture the cultural and cinematic significance of the Ramayana and resonate with modern audiences. The box office journey of past adaptations offers both cautionary tales and inspiration, underscoring the potential and challenges of bringing the epic to life. With the right balance of reverence, creativity, and cinematic grandeur, Tiwari’s Ramayana has the potential to set a new standard for mythological storytelling on the silver screen.

Disclaimer: Box office figures are approximate, compiled from various sources and research. They serve as a general indicator of film performance, but we don’t guarantee their absolute authenticity