Ramayana Box Office: Why Rs 70 Crore May Fall Short

A Rs 70 crore opening day for the much-awaited Ramayana may appear impressive in absolute terms, but it may not be enough to place the film among India’s biggest theatrical openers. Several Bollywood and Hollywood releases have recorded higher opening-day collections when their original earnings are adjusted for inflation to 2026 prices.

A Moneycontrol analysis of Bollywood Hungama data shows that at least 12 films have crossed the Rs 70 crore opening-day benchmark in inflation-adjusted terms. The list includes major releases such as Jawan, War, Thugs of Hindostan, Happy New Year, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Avengers: Endgame.

Key Highlights

• A Rs 70 crore opening may not put Ramayana among India’s biggest openers.
• At least 12 films have recorded higher inflation-adjusted opening-day collections.
• Jawan’s opening-day collection rises to Rs 88.6 crore in 2026 prices.
• Happy New Year and Animal also crossed the Rs 70 crore benchmark after inflation adjustment.
• Dhurandhar The Revenge recorded the highest opening in the supplied comparison, at Rs 90 crore in March 2026.

Why a Rs 70 Crore Opening May Not Be Enough for Ramayana

Expectations surrounding Ramayana are high because of its scale and the anticipation attached to the story. However, box-office comparisons become more meaningful when inflation is considered. A collection earned several years ago had greater purchasing power at the time than the same nominal amount would have today.

According to the analysis, a Rs 70 crore opening in 2026 would be lower than the inflation-adjusted first-day collections of several major films. This means Ramayana would need to perform above that figure to compete with some of the strongest openers in the comparison.

Jawan Recorded One of the Strongest Inflation-Adjusted Openings

Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, released in September 2023, collected Rs 75 crore on its opening day. After adjusting the figure for inflation, its opening-day collection comes to approximately Rs 88.6 crore in 2026 prices.

This is nearly 27% higher than the Rs 70 crore benchmark. The film therefore sets a considerably higher target for Ramayana if it wants to compete with recent major theatrical releases on an inflation-adjusted basis.

Thugs of Hindostan and War Also Crossed the Benchmark

Interestingly, even films that did not maintain their initial box-office momentum recorded stronger openings than the proposed Ramayana benchmark after inflation adjustment.

Aamir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan, released in November 2018, collected Rs 52.25 crore on its first day. In 2026 prices, that amount is equivalent to approximately Rs 79.6 crore.

Similarly, War, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, opened with Rs 53.35 crore in October 2019. Its inflation-adjusted opening stands at around Rs 78.1 crore.

These examples also show why opening-day records should not be treated as proof of a film’s overall commercial success. Thugs of Hindostan generated a strong initial response but failed to sustain its momentum at the Box Office.

Happy New Year and Dhoom 3 Remain Strong Openers

Older Bollywood releases also feature prominently in the inflation-adjusted comparison. Shah Rukh Khan’s Happy New Year, released in 2014, collected Rs 44.97 crore on its first day. Adjusted to 2026 prices, the figure rises to approximately Rs 83.1 crore.

Dhoom 3, which arrived in 2013, recorded an inflation-adjusted opening-day collection of around Rs 73.6 crore. These figures demonstrate how older films can remain competitive in historical box-office comparisons despite having collected smaller amounts in their original release years.

Pushpa 2 and Animal Add to the List

More recent releases have also crossed the Rs 70 crore mark after inflation adjustment. Pushpa 2: The Rule, released in December 2024, collected Rs 72 crore on its opening day. Its inflation-adjusted value stands at approximately Rs 80.5 crore in 2026 prices.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, released in 2023, recorded an inflation-adjusted opening-day collection of around Rs 75.3 crore. Both films therefore rank above the Rs 70 crore benchmark being discussed for Ramayana.

Avengers: Endgame Shows the Strength of Hollywood Openings in India

Hollywood films have also delivered impressive opening-day performances in the Indian market. Avengers: Endgame, released in April 2019, collected Rs 53.1 crore on its opening day in India.

After adjusting for inflation, its opening-day collection works out to approximately Rs 77.8 crore in 2026 prices. Its performance places it among the releases that exceeded the proposed Rs 70 crore benchmark.

Dhurandhar The Revenge Records the Highest Opening

Among the films mentioned in the analysis, Dhurandhar The Revenge recorded the highest opening-day collection. The film earned Rs 90 crore on its first day in March 2026, making it the strongest opener in the comparison.

Unlike older releases, its reported collection is already from 2026 and does not require the same historical inflation adjustment.

What Inflation-Adjusted Box Office Collections Actually Mean

Inflation adjustment accounts for changes in the general price level over time. It helps compare the purchasing power of money collected by films released in different years.

However, it does not provide a complete picture of theatrical performance. The calculation does not account for differences in ticket prices, the number of screens, language versions, release scale or audience access to cinemas.

These factors can significantly influence opening-day collections. A film released across more screens or in several language versions may have a different box-office opportunity from an earlier release.

Opening-Day Records Do Not Guarantee Box Office Success

A strong first-day collection can indicate substantial initial interest, but it does not necessarily determine a film’s final commercial performance. Audience reactions, reviews, word of mouth and the ability to maintain momentum over subsequent days also matter.

Thugs of Hindostan is an important example. Despite its impressive inflation-adjusted opening, the film failed to sustain its initial momentum. This highlights the difference between a record-breaking opening and long-term box-office success.

Can Ramayana Beat the Historical Opening Benchmark?

For Ramayana, a Rs 70 crore opening would still represent a substantial first-day collection. However, the historical comparison suggests that the figure may not be enough to place it among India’s strongest openers when inflation is taken into account.

Films such as Jawan, Happy New Year, Pushpa 2, War and Thugs of Hindostan have established higher inflation-adjusted benchmarks. Ultimately, Ramayana’s box-office performance will need to be judged not only by its opening-day earnings but also by its ability to attract audiences and maintain collections in the days that follow.