Bhubaneswar, Oct 30: From early-morning screenings to late-night shows, cinema halls in Bhubaneswar are gearing up for one of the most ambitious film releases in Indian cinema, with Namit Malhotra's much-awaited Ramayana already generating considerable interest among moviegoers ahead of its November 5 theatrical release.

The film has recorded advance bookings worth nearly Rs 29 lakh in Bhubaneswar, with more than 6,300 tickets booked, according to industry tracking estimates compiled by Sacnilk. The figures, recorded as of October 30, include blocked seats. Excluding blocked seats, the advance gross stood at Rs 26.17 lakh, with 5,775 tickets booked.

The city recorded around 30 per cent occupancy across 76 tracked shows, placing Bhubaneswar ninth among Indian cities in terms of advance-booking collections. The response comes even before the film's theatrical release, indicating considerable anticipation among audiences in the state capital.

The theatrical arrangements also reflect the scale of the release. According to BookMyShow, Namit Malhotra's Ramayana is listed across five cinema locations in Bhubaneswar for its 3D version, while two cinema locations have listed 2D screenings.

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Cinepolis at Nexus Esplanade and PVR at Utkal Kanika Galleria are offering both 2D and 3D screenings. Among popular local cinema halls, Maharaja Picture Palace, Sriya-Swati-Stutee Cineplex and Keshari Talkies have also listed 3D shows.

The screening schedules feature multiple shows throughout the day, with some theatres beginning as early as 7 am and extending screenings close to midnight. PVR and Cinepolis have also listed screenings with advanced projection and sound facilities, including 4K laser projection and Dolby sound options.

With a runtime of three hours and 15 minutes, the film is being presented as a large-format theatrical experience, with 3D screenings featuring prominently in the city's show schedules.

A cinematic undertaking worth thousands of crores

The two-part Ramayana project is reportedly being mounted with an overall financial commitment of around Rs 4,000 crore, making it one of the most ambitious productions in Indian cinema. The figure covers the wider project, while estimates of the combined production cost of both installments stand at around Rs 1,600 crore.

Produced by Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana has entrusted its visual effects to DNEG, the British visual-effects and animation studio behind acclaimed Hollywood productions such as Dune, Dune: Part Two, Interstellar and Oppenheimer.

DNEG's involvement is significant given its experience in creating large-scale cinematic environments, complex visual effects and realistic digital imagery. The studio's expertise is expected to play a crucial role in bringing the epic's mythical settings, characters and large-scale battle sequences to the big screen. According to reports, more than 9,500 employees across DNEG's global operations have contributed to the project.

The film also brings together Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A R Rahman for its music, while Terry Notary and Guy Norris are associated with its action choreography.

A star-studded retelling of the epic

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey portrays Lakshman. The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and several other prominent actors.

Produced by Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Monster Mind Creations, the film is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic, with the first installment scheduled to release on November 5, 2026, and the second part expected in 2027.