Ten days before release, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part One has already collected about 20 crore rupees worldwide in advance bookings as of October 25. The two-part mythological epic opens on November 5, and pre-sales show strong demand at home and a sizeable contribution from overseas audiences.

Overseas markets are doing much of the work

The film’s international numbers are the standout. Ramayana will have paid previews in North America on November 4, the night before its official release, and those shows alone have sold $550K in tickets, according to Sacnilk. Release-day bookings across other overseas territories add another $400K.

Those figures make Ramayana a global release in practice. Sony Pictures is handling distribution outside India, and the film is also set for a worldwide IMAX rollout.

Domestic sales: strong start, steadier pace

In India, advance bookings opened on Dussehra, about two weeks before release, and got off to a fast start.…