Ramayana and Godzilla Minus Zero set for an IMAX clash in the same November week

Ramayana and the Japanese film Godzilla Minus Zero are headed for an IMAX face-off, with both films opening in the same week of November.

Godzilla Minus Zero arrives in India on November 6, the same day it opens in North America. Kamal Gianchandani, who heads business planning and strategy at PVR INOX Limited and is CEO of PVR INOX Pictures, had already confirmed the India release. "Most likely, it'll come out in the same week as Ramayana," he said.

Both films carry the IMAX tag, so the real contest is over premium screens. At home, Nitesh Tiwari's epic, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, has the clear advantage. It is a home-grown film with much stronger demand, so exhibitors are expected to give it most of their IMAX shows and leave the Godzilla film only a small share.

Ramayana's exact date is still not final. Reports say the makers are weighing paid previews in India on the evening of Wednesday, November 4, with the full release the next day.

That call has to be made with international partners on board. Sony Pictures, which handles the film overseas, and IMAX both need to know the global release plan before anything is locked.