Ramayana's Karnataka takeover: Rs 100 crore in 9 days and how Yash rewrites history

Bollywood films have enjoyed impressive box-office runs in Karnataka, but few have managed to create the kind of frenzy that Ramayana has in just eight days. The Nitesh Tiwari directorial has stormed past the Rs 100-crore gross mark in the state, collecting Rs 101.35 crore across all languages. But the bigger story lies in how Yash is helping the film rewrite history.

His presence as Ravana has given the film a strong connect with Kannada audiences, with its Kannada-dubbed version alone crossing Rs 50 crore nett (gross minus taxes) on Day 9. It is the first Bollywood film to achieve this milestone through its Kannada version, marking a significant shift in the way Hindi blockbusters are received in the state.

The film ended its extended opening week with Rs 48.95 crore Kannada nett, putting it within touching distance of the milestone. Its second Friday advance bookings provided the momentum needed to cross the mark. The film registered Rs 1.33 crore in gross advance bookings across 887 shows, including Rs 1.08 crore excluding block seats. Around 35,065 tickets were sold without blocked seats ahead of the day's shows. With spot bookings and walk-ins yet to be accounted for, the Kannada version is expected to add further to its total.

The milestone is significant not just because of the number, but also because of where the business is coming from. While Bollywood films have traditionally relied on their Hindi versions to drive collections in Karnataka, Ramayana has managed to build a substantial market for its Kannada-dubbed release.

The film's overall performance in Karnataka has been equally impressive. Ramayana has crossed Rs 100 crore gross in the state, with its collections across all languages reaching Rs 101.35 crore. It is only the second Bollywood film to achieve this milestone after Dhurandhar 2.

The scale of its run becomes clearer when compared with the numbers posted by earlier Hindi blockbusters. Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan, which had emerged as one of the biggest Bollywood successes in Karnataka in 2023, had collected over Rs 56 crore gross in the state by late September that year, moving ahead of Pathaan and Dangal. Ramayana has nearly doubled that figure in just nine days.

However, the biggest distinction lies in the performance of its Kannada version. Despite Dhurandhar 2 recording exceptional business in Karnataka, its Kannada-dubbed version collected only Rs 3.87 crore nett. Ranbir Kapoor's Animal, meanwhile, earned approximately Rs 64 lakh nett from its Kannada version. In comparison, Ramayana has crossed Rs 50 crore nett in the language, establishing a market that goes well beyond the usual contribution of dubbed versions of Hindi films.

This makes the film's performance an important moment for Bollywood releases in the state. It demonstrates that a Hindi production can attract a sizeable Kannada-speaking audience when the film has the right combination of local appeal, star power and a strong dubbed release.Yash's popularity gives Ramayana a major advantage in Karnataka

A significant factor behind the film's performance is Yash. The actor's popularity following the KGF franchise has given Ramayana an immediate connection with Kannada audiences. His portrayal of Ravana has also helped generate interest in the film, while the Kannada-dubbed version has allowed local audiences to experience the story in their own language.

The response was visible even before the film's release. On Day 1, the Kannada version recorded Rs 5.40 crore in gross advance bookings, including Rs 4.95 crore excluding block seats. Around 1.48 lakh tickets were booked across 1,240 shows, signalling the strong demand for the dubbed version.

The trend is particularly interesting when compared with other recent Bollywood releases. Films such as Animal and War 2 found stronger support in Telugu, whereas Ramayana has seen Kannada emerge as its biggest South Indian language contributor. Yash's presence appears to have played a crucial role in making the Kannada version a major box-office force rather than just an additional language option.

The achievement also puts the film in the company of some of Sandalwood's biggest commercial successes. Only a limited number of films have crossed the Rs 50-crore Kannada nett mark. Ramayana has joined that list in just nine days, an especially notable feat for a Bollywood production.Can Ramayana's Kannada version reach Rs 60 crore or Rs 70 crore?

Having crossed the Rs 50-crore milestone, the focus now shifts to how much further the Kannada version can travel. A finish beyond Rs 60 crore looks achievable if the film maintains a healthy hold over the second weekend. The Rs 70-crore mark, meanwhile, could come into play if collections remain steady through the coming week.

The second weekend will be crucial in determining the film's long-term prospects. The initial rush, fuelled by Yash's presence and the scale of the film, helped it build a strong opening. Sustaining that momentum will depend on how well it continues to attract family audiences and viewers beyond the first wave of moviegoers.

The story of Ramayana in Karnataka is also worth watching for what it could mean for future Bollywood releases. The film has shown that a dubbed version can become a significant box-office contributor in its own right, rather than merely supplementing the original-language collection. Whether another Hindi film can replicate this performance remains to be seen, but Ramayana has set a formidable benchmark.

For now, its Kannada version has achieved something no Bollywood film has managed before: crossing Rs 50 crore nett in Karnataka while building a theatrical run that is increasingly being driven by audiences watching it in their own language.

Ramayana: Rise of a Legend features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol, Arun Govil and Lara Dutta in key roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part epic is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. The screenplay is written by Shridhar Raghavan and Tiwari, while the music brings together Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman.

eleased on November 5, the film crossed the Rs 1,000 crore worldwide gross milestone on Day 8, collecting Rs 1,033.55 crore, including Rs 675.05 crore from India and Rs 358.50 crore overseas. It has become the 11th Indian film to enter the club and the third-fastest to achieve the feat, after Pushpa 2: The Rule and Dhurandhar: The Revenge.- EndsALSO READ | Ramayana box office Day 6: Ranbir Kapoor's film on a record-breaking Rs 800-crore run