Is Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Misreporting Box Office Figures? Trade Analyst Sparks Debate!

The box office performance of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is under scrutiny after trade analyst Sumit Kadel questioned the inclusion of 3D glasses surcharges in earnings reports. Kadel's analysis reveals a significant discrepancy in reported figures, sparking a debate about transparency in box office reporting. As the film continues to perform well, especially during the Diwali holiday, this discussion highlights the complexities of tracking box office data in today's multi-format release landscape. With a star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, Ramayana's journey in theaters raises important questions about industry standards.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 11, 2026, 00:34 IST

Box Office Controversy Surrounding Ramayana

The box office results of Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological film, Ramayana, have come under scrutiny, particularly after trade analyst Sumit Kadel raised concerns regarding the reporting methods for the film's daily earnings. The focal point of the discussion is whether the inclusion of surcharges for 3D glasses in the earnings report adheres to standard industry practices.

The conversation intensified when Kadel shared his analysis of the film's earnings on social media, revealing that the Hindi version reportedly earned Rs 38 crore net from major national chains when 3D charges were included. On a national scale, the total net collection was stated to be Rs 84 crore under the same conditions. However, Kadel pointed out that excluding the 3D surcharges would adjust the net figure to Rs 80 crore, highlighting a Rs 4 crore difference that he believes offers a more accurate representation of the film's performance.

Examining Reporting Standards

Kadel's critique of the current reporting practices emphasizes that including fees for 3D glasses is not a typical approach within the film industry. By spotlighting the Rs 4 crore discrepancy, he raised important questions about the transparency of box office reporting, especially for films released in various formats. It’s crucial to note that Kadel's comments are aimed at the methodology of reporting rather than suggesting any intentional inflation of the film's success by the production team.

This discussion comes at a time when the film's theatrical performance is on the rise. After a slow start in mass markets such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and the CP-CI region, Ramayana saw a significant increase in attendance during the Diwali holiday, which helped stabilize its performance in key areas and contributed to the overall box office figures being analyzed.

Featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Ramayana made its global debut in theaters on November 5, 2026. As the film continues its run, the ongoing dialogue underscores the challenges of accurately tracking box office data in an age where multi-format releases and additional service charges can significantly impact reported statistics.