Ramayana in the USA: English Version, IMAX, Streaming

Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has become the Indian film America is talking about this November. It opened with paid previews on November 4 and a wide release on November 5 across 1,433 North American theaters, and within a week it was already among the six biggest Indian films ever in the region. If you’re planning to go, or taking friends who have never seen an Indian epic, here’s what to know first.

Is Ramayana playing in US theaters?

Yes. Sony Pictures handles the release everywhere outside India, which is why Ramayana is playing in mainstream chains such as AMC, Regal and Cinemark rather than only in South Asian cinemas. The official US title is Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, and it is Part One of two. Part Two is planned for Diwali 2027.

For everything else Indian that’s playing or streaming in America, see our guide to watching Indian movies and shows in the USA.

Should you watch the Hindi or English version?

This is the big question for US audiences, and it’s a real choice. The English version isn’t a cheap dub. Ranbir Kapoor and the main cast voiced their own English lines, and the makers used AI-assisted lip-sync so the dialogue matches the actors’ mouths.

The bigger difference is length. According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, the international English cut is about 30 minutes shorter, with the songs removed and some scenes trimmed. That makes the choice simple:

Is Ramayana worth seeing in IMAX?

Ramayana was the first Indian production to carry the “Filmed for IMAX” label, and Sony is selling it as one of the most immersive 3D releases ever made. The visual effects come from DNEG, the eight-time Oscar-winning studio behind Dune, and the score is by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman together. IMAX made up about 11% of the film’s worldwide opening, a record for an Indian film. If there’s an IMAX screen near you showing it, that’s the format the film was built for.

One catch: Godzilla Minus Zero opened the same week and is fighting for the same IMAX screens, so many theaters split shows between the two. Check showtimes early in the week for the best seats.

How is Ramayana doing at the US box office?

Very well. It made about $1.9 million from premiere shows alone and finished its extended opening at around $12.2 million in North America. Its $1.37 million on the first Monday was the biggest first Monday ever for an Indian film in North America. By Monday, November 9, it had reached $13.64 million, placing it sixth among Indian films there, ahead of RRR, Pushpa 2 and Jawan. The record is still Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge at about $28.6 million.

When will Ramayana stream in the US?

No US streaming date or platform has been announced. In India, the film is headed to JioHotstar as a pay-per-view release, but JioHotstar isn’t sold in the US, so that doesn’t help American viewers. When Sony and the makers announce a US home, whether that’s a digital rental or a streaming service, we’ll add it here and mark it Confirmed on our weekly OTT tracker.

Who is in the Ramayana cast?

Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram and Yash plays Raavan. Yash also co-produces through Monster Mind Creations. Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman and Sunny Deol plays Hanuman. The cast also includes Arun Govil as King Dashrath, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha. Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios produces.

Keep reading

King USA Release Date: When SRK’s Film Hits US Theaters The 4 Women in Hrithik Roshan’s Team in Jailer 2 Daayra Movie Review: A Gritty Clash of Justice and Morality

Frequently asked questions