⚡ Quick answer
Ramayana is far ahead of Adipurush overall, even though Adipurush had a slightly bigger first day. Adipurush opened at about ₹128 crore worldwide versus ₹127.5 crore for Ramayana. But Ramayana kept climbing, crossing roughly ₹808 crore worldwide in six days, a total Adipurush never came close to.
Every big Ramayan film now gets measured against Adipurush, the 2023 Prabhas film that became a punchline for its dialogue and VFX. So when Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana opened in November 2026, the first question in every group chat was simple: did it beat Adipurush? On day one, barely not. After that, it wasn’t a contest.
Ramayana vs Adipurush: box office at a glance
| Ramayana: Part One (2026) | Adipurush (2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead as Ram | Ranbir Kapoor | Prabhas |
| Ravan played by | Yash | Saif Ali Khan |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari | Om Raut |
| Opening day, worldwide gross | About ₹127.5 crore | About ₹128 crore |
| Rank among Indian openers | 16th, just behind Adipurush | Higher, by roughly ₹50 lakh |
| First six days, worldwide | About ₹808 crore | Collapsed after the first weekend |
| US title | Ramayana: Rise of a Legend (English cut) | Released in its original languages |
The opening-day gap was about ₹50 lakh, which is a rounding error for films this size. Adipurush also reported higher first-day footfalls. Where the two split is everything after Friday.
Why did Adipurush open bigger than Ramayana?
Two reasons. Adipurush rode Prabhas’s huge Telugu opening power and a heavily pre-sold first day. Ramayana, meanwhile, opened on a Thursday before Diwali and hit what trade writers called pre-Diwali hiccups in India on day two. Its real strength showed up overseas and in the days that followed.
How did Ramayana do in the US compared to Adipurush?
This is where Ramayana pulled away. It made around $5.5 million in North America in its first two days and passed $13.6 million by its first Monday, enough to enter the top six Indian films ever in North America within six days. Its English cut and Sony’s wide release in more than 1,400 North American theaters gave it a reach Adipurush never had.
Ramayana vs Adipurush: reviews and reactions
Adipurush was hit by heavy criticism on release, mostly over its dialogue, its look and its take on the epic, and word of mouth sank it within days. Ramayana’s reviews have been mixed rather than hostile. It holds about 50% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences have been far warmer, especially toward Yash’s Ravan and the Jatayu sequence.
- Visual effects: Ramayana’s DNEG-built Lanka and creatures have drawn most of the praise. Adipurush’s CGI was its biggest weakness.
- Tone: Ramayana plays the story straight and reverent. Adipurush tried a modern, action-hero version that many viewers rejected.
- Ravan: Yash’s Ravan has started its own debate about glamorising the villain. Saif’s Ravan was mostly mocked.
Is Ramayana better than Adipurush?
By almost every measure that matters after opening day, yes: box office, overseas reach and audience response. If you skipped Adipurush and want one modern Ramayan film on the big screen, this is the one. If you are a die-hard fan of the 1987 TV Ramayan, expect a grander, darker and much more VFX-heavy telling.
Opening-day comparison: Gulf News.
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Frequently asked questions
Did Ramayana beat Adipurush on day 1?
No, narrowly. Adipurush opened at about ₹128 crore worldwide, while Ramayana opened at about ₹127.5 crore.
Has Ramayana beaten Adipurush’s lifetime collection?
Yes. Ramayana crossed roughly ₹808 crore worldwide within six days, far beyond what Adipurush earned in its full run.
Who played Ravan in Adipurush and Ramayana?
Saif Ali Khan played Ravan in Adipurush. Yash plays Ravan in Ramayana.
Who played Ram in Adipurush?
Prabhas played Ram (Raghava) in Adipurush. Ranbir Kapoor plays Ram in Ramayana.
Is Ramayana better than Adipurush?
Ramayana has far stronger box office and audience response, and its visual effects have been widely praised, unlike Adipurush.
