Mumbai, November 13, 2026: For an Indian film, collecting $40 million overseas during its initial theatrical run is still a rare achievement. Even some of the country’s biggest worldwide blockbusters have finished below that mark, despite extraordinary business back home. Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana is now closing in on the milestone within nine days, and if the Nitesh Tiwari directorial gets there on Friday, it could establish a new speed record for Indian cinema.
What makes Ramayana’s position interesting is the manner in which it has built its international business. North America has emerged as its biggest contributor, the United Kingdom has delivered record-breaking opening numbers, and markets such as Thailand and Vietnam are showing a level of interest rarely associated with an Indian release. The film is not depending on one or two overseas territories to carry the entire run, giving it an advantage as the second weekend begins.
Only Four Indian Films Have Crossed $40 Million Overseas in Their Initial Run
The list is surprisingly short when later China and other delayed international releases are kept separate. Baahubali 2, Pathaan, Jawan and Dhurandhar 2 are four established members of the club. Dangal, Secret Superstar and Bajrangi Bhaijaan also earned much bigger overseas totals eventually, but their later East Asian releases make them a different comparison. RRR’s reported overseas earnings also include its subsequent Japanese run.
Note: Ramayana’s overseas collections are estimates and are subject to revision.
None of these films reached the landmark within nine days on the available historical figures. Pathaan took two weeks despite an exceptional opening, while Jawan and Dhurandhar 2 needed until their third weekends. Ramayana is now in a position to improve considerably on that pace, with its second weekend only beginning.
North America Is Doing the Heavy Lifting for Ramayana
Among the major overseas territories, the United States and Canada have provided the strongest foundation for Ramayana. According to Venky Box Office, the film collected $17.49 million from the two markets combined after seven days, narrowly surpassing Dhurandhar 2’s $17.32 million over the same period, including paid premieres. The difference is just $170,000, or roughly 1%, showing how closely matched the two biggies have been in North America. The territory accounts for nearly half of Ramayana’s international business, putting the film in a strong position as its second weekend begins.
The pace has been impressive. Ramayana established a new first-Monday record for an Indian film in North America and continued strongly through the following weekdays. It has already moved past the lifetime North American collections of Jawan, Pushpa 2, RRR and Animal, all within its opening week. This is a significant achievement in a market where Indian films have increasingly benefited from wider releases and premium-format screenings.
The United Kingdom has delivered another notable achievement for Ramayana. After becoming the first Indian film to top the official UK and Ireland weekend box office chart, the film has also moved past Dhurandhar 2’s extended opening-week collection of approximately £2.75 million. Ramayana had already grossed around $3.85 million (approximately £2.90 million) by Wednesday, achieving the feat in seven days against Dhurandhar 2’s eight-day total. With Thursday’s business still to be added, Ramayana has established a clear lead in one of Indian cinema’s most important overseas markets.
Thailand, Nepal and Southeast Asia Add Another Dimension
Ramayana’s overseas run is not restricted to the established North American, British and Australian circuits. Thailand had contributed an estimated $850,000 after seven days. Singapore had collected around $550,000 and Vietnam another $350,000, according to territory-wise trade estimates.
Thailand has been one of the standout markets for Ramayana, while Nepal has also delivered impressive numbers. The film grossed approximately NPR 12.80 crore (₹8 crore) in Nepal during its first eight days, a substantial contribution from a relatively small theatrical market. Individually, these territories may not match the collections from North America or the United Kingdom, but together they are adding meaningful business to the film’s overseas total.
Indonesia is another market worth watching. Ramayana opened there on November 11 with more than 1,000 shows, considerably higher than the initial show allocations of Pathaan and Jawan. The film collected approximately IDR 1.67 billion ($92,000 or ₹86 lakh) gross on its opening day. It is an encouraging start in a market where Indian films have traditionally had a limited theatrical presence, and the coming weekend should provide a clearer indication of how far the film can go.
There is also more international business to come. Sony Pictures’ distribution plans include additional releases across Latin America and parts of Europe, giving Ramayana opportunities beyond the territories contributing to its opening-week total. These markets may not produce enormous individual collections, but their combined business could become increasingly valuable as the film moves towards its eventual overseas lifetime total.
Also Read: Ramayana Day 8 Box Office Collection
Worldwide Box Office: Ramayana Day-Wise Worldwide Box Office Collection
Stay tuned…
