Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic Ramayana: Part One, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, has reportedly prompted cinemas across India to introduce additional midnight and early morning screenings to accommodate overwhelming audience demand during the Diwali festive period.
With some theatres scheduling shows as early as 4:50 a.m., exhibitors are extending operating hours to manage the surge in ticket bookings, particularly among families attending screenings during the holiday weekend.
The film has reportedly crossed ₹500 crore in worldwide gross collections within its first four days of release, reflecting strong box office momentum for the multilingual production.
Theatres extend screening hours amid rising demand
Major cinema operators, including PVR INOX, have introduced additional screenings to accommodate increased footfall as audiences flock to theatres during the festive season.
The expanded schedules include late-night and early-morning shows, allowing exhibitors to increase seating capacity and respond to demand at locations experiencing heavy bookings.
The unusual screening hours reflect the scale of interest surrounding the film, which brings the ancient Indian epic to the big screen through a large-scale cinematic adaptation.
The production features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with director Nitesh Tiwari presenting the story for audiences across multiple languages.
Film crosses ₹500 crore worldwide in four days
According to reported box office estimates, Ramayana: Part One surpassed ₹500 crore in worldwide gross earnings during its first four days in theatres.
The milestone places the film among the major commercial releases of the festive period, with its collections supported by strong audience turnout and expanded theatrical availability.
The film’s performance has also been aided by its multilingual release, allowing it to reach audiences across different regions of India and international markets.
Additional screenings are expected to help exhibitors accommodate continued demand during the holiday period.
Diwali celebrations fuel family audiences
The release coincides with several major Hindu festivals, including Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja and Diwali Padwa, traditionally associated with family gatherings and increased cinema attendance.
The festive calendar has contributed to strong demand for group bookings, with audiences seeking screenings outside conventional theatre hours.
The film’s religious and cultural subject matter has also attracted interest from families familiar with the story of Lord Rama, further strengthening its appeal during Diwali.
As the holiday period continues, theatres are adjusting schedules to accommodate audience demand and maximize available seating.
Mythological epic draws widespread attention
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part One is among India’s most ambitious mythological film productions, bringing together prominent actors and large-scale visual effects to recreate the ancient epic.
The film’s theatrical performance has attracted attention across the entertainment industry, particularly as exhibitors experiment with extended screening hours to meet demand.
With early morning shows, additional midnight screenings and substantial reported box office collections, Ramayana: Part One continues to draw audiences during one of India’s busiest cinema-going periods.
