‘Ramayana: Part 1’ Eyes China With Grand Promotional Push

• Makers planning major China campaign ahead of Diwali 2026 release.

• Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi may lead four-day tour.

• Promotions could include Pingyao Film Festival screening on September 24.

• Golden Week (from October 1) targeted for wider outreach.

• Strategy aims to revive Bollywood’s footprint in China.

Almost ten years after Dangal unlocked the Chinese box office for Indian cinema, the team behind Ramayana: Part 1 appears ready to test those waters again. Reports indicate that the film’s producers are preparing an ambitious promotional strategy in China, hoping to position the mythological epic as a global theatrical event.

According to media reports, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra are in discussions with Chinese distributors and cinema chains to explore a coordinated outreach campaign. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure the film resonates beyond Indian audiences and taps into one of the world’s most influential movie markets.

Star Power at the Centre

If the plan receives the required clearances, the film’s principal cast — Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi — are expected to travel to China for a four-day promotional tour. The initiative is designed to build momentum and generate pre-release buzz for the epic, which retells one of India’s most revered mythological narratives.

Tentative plans reportedly include a media interaction and a special screening at the Pingyao International Film Festival on September 24. In addition, the team is said to be evaluating promotional appearances across multiple cities during China’s Golden Week holiday, which begins October 1 — a peak period for cinema attendance.

At present, these proposals remain subject to regulatory approvals and final confirmations.

Reopening a Key Overseas Market

The reported outreach signals Bollywood’s renewed attempt to reconnect with Chinese audiences. Before 2020, Indian films such as Dangal, Secret Superstar and Andhadhun achieved remarkable commercial success in China, establishing it as one of the most lucrative overseas territories for Hindi cinema.

In recent years, however, Indian releases have struggled to secure wide distribution there. For Ramayana: Part 1, gaining access to Chinese screens could significantly boost global box office prospects, given that China is the world’s second-largest theatrical market.

Building a Global Spectacle

Backed by Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, Ramayana: Part 1 is being positioned as one of the most ambitious projects in Indian film history. With extensive visual effects work and large-scale production design, the film aims to blend epic storytelling with cutting-edge cinematic technology.

Nitesh Tiwari directs the project, which casts Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is slated for a Diwali 2026 theatrical release, positioning it squarely within India’s most commercially significant festival window.

If the China campaign materialises, it would mark a strategic effort to replicate — or even surpass — the international breakthrough achieved by Dangal. Whether Ramayana: Part 1 can capture the imagination of Chinese audiences remains to be seen, but the intent is clear: the makers are aiming not just for domestic success, but for a truly global footprint.