Ramayana Part 1 Makes History as the First Indian Film to Debut in ScreenX Worldwide Following a Global Partnership With CJ 4DPLEX

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The scale of the upcoming cinematic retelling of the Ramayana is reaching new heights as the makers aim for a truly global theatrical experience. In an exclusive update reported by Bollywood Hungama, Prime Focus Studios founder Namit Malhotra has announced a major partnership with CJ 4DPLEX to bring Ramayana: Part 1 to life in premium immersive formats. This collaboration ensures that the film will be released in both ScreenX and 4DX, marking a significant first for Indian cinema on the world stage. Namit Malhotra has shared that from its very inception, the project was designed to be more than just a regular movie. He believes that the partnership allows the team to match the massive scope and vision of the story with innovative technology. ScreenX is a unique format that expands the movie onto the side walls of the theater, providing a 270-degree panoramic view, while 4DX adds a multisensory layer with motion seats and environmental effects like wind, water, and scents. Together, these formats are meant to invite the audience to step directly into the world of the epic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the executives at CJ 4DPLEX, Ramayana is the exact type of event-level spectacle that these formats were created for. The film is expected to release across more than 1,200 ScreenX and 4DX auditoriums globally. This move is particularly historic because Ramayana: Part 1 will be the first Indian film to debut in ScreenX worldwide. The industry is already seeing a growing appetite for such experiences in India, especially after the recent success of titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day in similar premium formats. The distribution strategy also reflects the film's global ambitions. While Dharma Productions will handle the release across North India, Sony Pictures International is set to take the film to theaters across the globe. This ensures that the retelling of the ancient epic reaches a massive international audience simultaneously during its Diwali 2026 release window. The project is being seen as a milestone that could redefine how Indian stories are presented to the world. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features a powerhouse cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The ensemble also includes Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey in pivotal roles. With the first part scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second installment already in production for a 2027 release, the team is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Ramayana becomes one of the most visually stunning and technologically advanced projects in Indian history.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

After a successful run that lasted over a month, Dhamaal 4 is finally approaching the end of its theatrical journey. The film has been a significant contributor to the box office in 2026, but the latest numbers indicate that it is now reaching a point of exhaustion. With new releases like Awarapan 2 and Batwara 1947 taking over the majority of screens, the space for this comedy sequel has shrunk considerably. While it has performed admirably, the current pace suggests it will not be able to hit any further major milestones, likely settling just shy of the 170 crore net mark. The drop in show counts tells the story of its final phase. Just a few days ago, around Day 35, the film was still running across 1,670 shows. however, by its sixth week, that number has plummeted to double digits, with Day 40 recording only 84 shows across India. On its 40th day, a Tuesday, the film earned a meager 0.02 crore net, bringing the total India net collection to 167.62 crore. While the film saw a small jump over its sixth weekend, the weekday collections have now fallen to the level of a few lakhs, signifying that the movie has almost entirely completed its run in theaters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Despite the current slow pace, the lifetime achievements of Dhamaal 4 are impressive. It has officially locked its place as the 4th highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2026, comfortably outperforming other major comedy rivals like Welcome To The Jungle. On the global stage, the film has achieved a worldwide gross collection of 229.88 crore. This is supported by an India gross of 199.03 crore and a respectable overseas contribution of 30.85 crore. For a franchise that relies on ensemble comedy, reaching these heights after 40 days is a clear win for the makers. The film has also been a personal success for Ajay Devgn. In terms of lifetime ticket sales on BookMyShow, Dhamaal 4 has recorded 2.89 million tickets sold, making it the 4th highest-selling film in the actor's career on the platform. It sits just behind his other major hits like Singham Again, which leads with 3.77 million tickets, followed by Shaitaan at 2.97 million and Raid 2 at 2.91 million. However, it significantly outperforms titles like De De Pyaar De 2, which recorded 1.11 million tickets. This high volume of ticket sales highlights the initial pull the film had across both multiplexes and single screens before the competitive wave of new big-budget releases took over. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While Dhamaal 4 is fading out of theaters with over 202,714 shows under its belt, it leaves the box office as one of the standout successes of the year. The transition to digital platforms is the next logical step as it reaches theatrical exhaustion, and industry insiders are already speculating that the film will arrive on OTT by September 4. This move will allow the comedy to reach a wider audience at home now that the theater space is dominated by newer releases.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

There are very few actors who can maintain their position at the top for half a century, but Rajinikanth continues to prove that his superstardom is in a league of its own. As fans eagerly wait for the return of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian in the upcoming sequel Jailer 2, the film has already started rewriting the history books of Indian cinema. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the sequel carries the massive responsibility of following up on the 2023 cult classic, which famously collected over 604 crore at the worldwide box office. The momentum behind this second installment is now being felt in the business circles, where the film has just set an unprecedented record. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, Jailer 2 has officially secured the biggest non-theatrical deal for any Tamil film to date. Sources close to the development have revealed that the streaming rights for the film have been sold to a major OTT partner for a staggering 160 crore. This figure is significant because it not only surpasses the previous record held by Vijay's Leo but also reportedly exceeds the digital deals for other upcoming big-budget films like Shah Rukh Khan's King. It appears that streaming platforms are willing to pay a heavy premium to secure the Rajinikanth-led saga, viewing it as the most high-profile acquisition of 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The marketing machinery for the film is also beginning to move at a rapid pace. Production house Sun Pictures is reportedly planning to release the first single from the movie on August 21, 2026. Given the massive impact Anirudh Ravichander’s music had on the first film, especially with the viral hit Hukum, there is immense pressure on the composer to deliver another chartbuster. There is also significant buzz regarding a grand audio launch tentatively scheduled for October 2. While Rajinikanth's landmark events are traditionally hosted at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, the official venue for this sequel is yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the location, the launch is expected to be a massive celebration of the superstar's journey, with a planned television broadcast on Sun TV likely set for October 9. While industry chatter had suggested a potential push to the Diwali weekend due to post-production delays, Sun Pictures has confirmed that Jailer 2 will release on its original scheduled date, effectively ending speculation about a potential delay. This confirmation is seen as a strategic move by industry experts who were concerned about a box office clash with the pan-Indian film Ramayana during Diwali. By sticking to the October window, the film is expected to secure a better screen count and a solo run, providing the necessary space for its large ensemble cast to draw audiences across India without immediate competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The return of the character Tiger Muthuvel has created a level of anticipation that is rarely seen even for major sequels. With a record-breaking OTT deal already in the bag and a promotion schedule that looks to build a fever pitch over the next two months, Jailer 2 is positioned to be a commercial juggernaut. If the film manages to replicate the word of mouth of its predecessor, it could very well challenge the all-time records of the Tamil film industry.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The cinematic journey of Vishwanath and Sons has been one of the most discussed topics in the industry lately, especially given the massive expectations riding on Suriya's shoulders. As a family drama with a high emotional core, the film was expected to dominate the Southern box office. While the movie is performing exceptionally well in several territories, a very unusual trend is emerging as it completes its first five days in theaters. Usually, a Suriya starrer sees its highest numbers coming from his home state of Tamil Nadu, but the data suggests that the film is finding even more love in the Telugu-speaking states. On its first Tuesday, Vishwanath and Sons achieved a strong India gross of 7.33 crore. This indicates a steady hold during the weekdays, showing resilience despite the natural drop from its Monday performance. A closer look at the regional contribution reveals a very interesting narrative; the film is seeing an incredible response in the Telugu market that is currently outpacing its home base. On Tuesday alone, the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions contributed a gross of 3.50 crore, while the territory of Tamil Nadu brought in 2.35 crore. This continued momentum across all southern states has pushed the total India gross collection to an impressive 83.60 crore in just five days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In terms of ticket sales, the film is still holding a spot among the heavyweights. On Tuesday, BookMyShow recorded 118,800 tickets sold for the film. To put this into perspective, this performance places Vishwanath and Sons at the 8th spot on the all-time list for the highest first Tuesday ticket sales on the platform, sitting just behind films like The GOAT and ahead of Jana Nayagan. In national multiplex chains, the support remains firm. On Tuesday alone, PVR saw around 14,700 tickets sold, while INOX and Cinepolis contributed roughly 6,800 and 2,000 tickets respectively. The occupancy in these premium chains for the day averaged around 12 percent for PVR, showing that the urban audience is still turning up. The state-wise gross report highlights a fascinating shift in demographics. Currently, the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (APTG) region has surpassed Tamil Nadu in terms of total gross. APTG has contributed 33.75 crore to the total gross, while Tamil Nadu stands at 32.85 crore. Other Southern states are also chipping in significantly, with Karnataka contributing 9.68 crore and Kerala adding 6.00 crore. This has led to industry speculation that while the film might become a certified blockbuster in almost every other center, it may end up as an average performer in Suriya's home state of Tamil Nadu. There are even murmurs that the film will not be able to cross the massive benchmarks set by a hit like Karuppu, particularly in the Tamil market. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Internationally, the film continues to draw a global audience, adding 2.00 crore to its overseas gross on Day 5. This brings the total international gross to 45.00 crore. In the lucrative North America market, the film is doing remarkably well. According to data shared by Venky, the film earned 128,000 dollars on Monday alone, pushing its total North American gross to a solid 1.72 million dollars. The worldwide gross for Vishwanath and Sons now stands at 128.60 crore. While the domestic home-state performance remains a point of debate, there is no denying that the film has achieved a massive global footprint in less than a week.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

When Batwara 1947 was first announced, it carried the weight of high expectations. A period drama centered around the partition of India usually attracts a massive audience due to its emotional and patriotic appeal. However, despite the grand scale, a reported high production budget, and a cast meant to draw in the crowds, the film is currently struggling to find its footing at the box office. The initial buzz has unfortunately not translated into the kind of numbers required for a film of this magnitude to be considered a success. As it stands, the movie is significantly underperforming, and the word of mouth appears to be quite mixed, primarily citing a slow narrative as a major hurdle. Looking at the fifth-day performance, there is a small silver lining. On Tuesday, the film earned 2.25 crore net in India, which is a 12.5 percent growth compared to Monday's 2.00 crore. This slight uptick is largely due to the discounted ticket prices typical of mid-week promotions, which often help struggling films see a minor surge. However, for a film that has only managed to collect a total India net of 30.75 crore after five days, this growth is likely too little, too late. The total India gross stands at 36.54 crore, which is a disappointing figure given the thousands of shows allocated to it across the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The harsh reality of the box office is currently playing out through a significant screen crunch for the film. Exhibitors have started redistributing shows based on demand, which has hit Batwara 1947 particularly hard. While the movie started its journey with over 8,700 shows on Friday, that number has steadily declined to just 6,608 shows by Tuesday. In sharp contrast, Awarapan 2, which is riding a massive wave of success, has seen its show count climb from an initial 9,033 to a whopping 11,060 in the same period. This trend of theater owners pulling screens from a high-budget period drama to accommodate a thriving sequel is a clear sign that the audience has made its choice, leaving Batwara 1947 with very little room to recover. The performance in national chains further highlights the uphill battle the film is facing. On Tuesday, PVR recorded approximately 8,700 tickets sold with a gross of around 13.7 lakh. INOX and Cinepolis followed with roughly 4,800 and 2,300 tickets respectively. Across these major players, the total ticket sales for the day hovered around the 16,000 mark. While these numbers contribute to the 480,000 total tickets booked on BookMyShow so far, they remain far below the benchmarks set by other big-budget releases this year. In total, the film ran across 6,608 shows on its fifth day, contributing to a cumulative total of over 37,410 shows since its release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Regional occupancy data provides a clearer picture of where the film is finding some resonance and where it is failing. Given the historical context of the partition, the National Capital Region (NCR) has emerged as the strongest market. With 673 shows, NCR saw an occupancy of 26 percent. This is expected as themes related to the 1947 era often have a deeper cultural connection in the North. In contrast, markets like Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which are usually strongholds for big Hindi releases, are underperforming. Mumbai recorded a 17.5 percent occupancy across 389 shows, while Ahmedabad sat at 15 percent with 358 shows. The numbers in the South and other parts of the West are even more concerning, with Bengaluru and Surat struggling to cross the 11 percent occupancy mark. On the international front, the story remains much the same. Batwara 1947 collected 0.50 crore overseas on Tuesday, taking its total international gross to 6.75 crore. When combined with the domestic earnings, the worldwide gross collection stands at 43.29 crore. For a film produced on a high scale with an aim for a global audience, these numbers point toward a commercial failure. Unless there is a miraculous turnaround in the coming weekend, the film is unlikely to recover its substantial investment, marking it as one of the more notable box office disappointments of the season.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

It is not every day that we see a sequel managed with such balance, but Awarapan 2 seems to have struck a chord with the audience that goes beyond just nostalgia. While the first film remains a cult classic for its soul-stirring music and Emraan Hashmi’s brooding performance, this second installment has successfully modernized the appeal. The buzz on social media, no major movies to compete and strong word of mouth suggest that the viewers are appreciating the gritty narrative and the emotional depth brought back to the screen. It is this organic interest that has helped the film maintain its momentum well past the opening weekend. The big story today is that Awarapan 2 has officially entered the 100 Crore Club on its day 5. By crossing this milestone in just five days, the film has placed itself alongside some of the biggest blockbusters in Indian cinema history. To give you some context, achieving this feat in five days puts the movie in the same league as hits like Kabir Singh, RRR (Hindi), and Sooryavanshi. It has also matched the pace of other massive entertainers like Simmba and Mission Mangal, which similarly crossed the century mark on their fifth day of release. Joining such a list is a clear indicator that the film is not just a weekend wonder but a genuine box office hit. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) If we look at the Tuesday performance, the numbers tell an interesting story of growth. Usually, films see a bit of a dip during the weekdays, but Awarapan 2 actually saw its collections rise. On Day 5, the film earned 9.75 crore net, which is a 5.4 percent increase from the previous day. Much of this can be attributed to the discounted ticket offers available on Tuesdays, which encouraged many viewers to head to the theaters. This brings the total India net collection to a solid 100.75 crore, while the India gross stands at 120.33 crore. When we break down the performance in national chains, the support from major multiplexes remains firm. On Tuesday alone, PVR saw around 34,000 tickets sold, while INOX and Cinepolis contributed roughly 18,000 and 9,000 tickets respectively. This brings the total ticket sales across these three major chains to approximately 61,000 for the day. This steady flow of audience in the premium chains is complemented by a massive response on booking platforms, with BookMyShow recording over 1.94 million tickets sold so far since the release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) What is particularly fascinating is how the film is performing across different regions. Historically, Emraan Hashmi has enjoyed a very loyal fan base in the Mumbai circuit and mass-heavy regions like Maharashtra and Gujarat. While Mumbai is doing respectable business with 876 shows and an overall occupancy of 28 percent, it is actually the National Capital Region (NCR) that is leading the way. With a massive 1,149 shows, NCR recorded an impressive 44.3 percent occupancy. It is quite a shift to see the North performing even better than the actor's traditional stronghold in the West, indicating that the film's theme has found a much wider, pan-India acceptance. Even Tier 2 and Tier 3 centers are showing high night-show occupancies, often touching 43 percent, which is a sign of long-term stability. The success is not just limited to the domestic market either. Overseas, the film added another 2 crore on its fifth day, pushing the total international gross to 23.80 crore. When you combine the domestic and international numbers, the worldwide gross for Awarapan 2 now stands at 144.13 crore. With no major competition in sight for the coming days, the film looks set to continue its strong run at the box office, proving that a well-made sequel with the right emotional hook can still bring the masses back to the big screen.