Bollywood has scored a significant international victory as Ramayana: Rise of a Legend climbed to the top of the UK and Ireland box office during its opening weekend, outperforming several major international releases and drawing fresh attention to one of India’s most recognizable cultural stories.
The film, which arrived in cinemas on November 5, earned approximately £1.7 million during its opening weekend, according to industry figures reported by Screen Daily. Including previews, its opening total reached approximately £2.2 million. The result placed it ahead of Japanese blockbuster Godzilla Minus Zero, making it the biggest opening weekend for an Indian film in the territory.
The achievement becomes even more notable when placed alongside the performances of previous Indian blockbusters. Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Jawan which were both released in 2023, had previously reached second place in the UK and Ireland charts during their opening weekends, and Ramayana has now gone one step further by claiming the number-one position. It is a notable breakthrough for an industry that has spent years building its international presence, although the film still has to prove that it can maintain its momentum beyond its opening weekend.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol appearing as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey portraying Lakshmana and was directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
The comparison with earlier blockbusters also highlights the changing nature of Indian stardom. Shah Rukh Khan’s international recognition played a major role in the success of Pathaan and Jawan, with his established overseas fanbase helping generate anticipation before either film reached cinemas.
The film draws from a story that has been passed down through generations. The Ramayana follows Prince Rama’s journey after he is sent into exile, alongside his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka, abducts Sita, setting the stage for a conflict central to the epic.
Its themes of loyalty, duty, sacrifice, ambition and the struggle between good and evil have helped the story maintain its cultural importance across generations. However, adapting such a familiar narrative for modern cinema comes with its own challenges. For many viewers, these are not simply characters in a fantasy adventure; they are figures with deep religious and cultural significance.
The film’s international performance is also part of a much larger trend as seen in movies like Aamir Khan’s Dangal which demonstrated that an Indian film could achieve enormous success beyond its home market, particularly in China., and also Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which helped establish the appeal of visually ambitious Indian productions among audiences who might not traditionally follow Indian cinema.
The production of Ramayana reflects growing potentials. Backed by Prime Focus Studios, DNEG and Monster Mind Creations, the film combines large-scale filmmaking with extensive visual effects. Its soundtrack also brings together composers Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, adding another international dimension to the project.
