Aug 26, 2026 5:33pm IST
From ‘Ramayana’ and ‘King’ to ‘Toxic’: India’s Distribution Powerhouses Gear Up For A Packed 2026-27
In recent years, theatrical distribution has emerged as one of the most competitive aspects of the Indian film business. As filmmakers aim to give pan-India visual spectacles the widest possible release and reach, distribution houses are increasingly crossing linguistic and regional boundaries. With big bets on stars, films and territories, here’s a look at the upcoming theatrical distribution slate backed by some of the industry’s biggest production houses.
YRF
The prominent production house distributes its own ventures. While the studio will distribute films produced under its home banner, including the Varun Dhawan-led horror film and Ahaan Panday-Aneet Padda’s next, it will also handle international distribution of Shah Rukh Khan’s “King,” directed by Siddharth Anand.
Pen Marudhar
The distribution arm of Pen Studios will handle the all-India distribution of SRK’s “King,” Emraan Hashmi-starrer “Awarapan 2,” Kareena Kapoor’s “Daayra” and Alia Bhatt-Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer “Tumbbad 2.” It is also in the race to crack the deal for “Love & War” along with Dharma Productions.
Dharma Productions
The banner has bagged the all-India distribution rights for the first part of Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol’s “Ramayana.”
AA Films
Known for distributing blockbuster Hindi-dubbed versions of pan-India biggies like the “Baahubali” franchise, the “KGF” franchise, the “Pushpa” franchise and the “Kantara” franchise, AA Films has distributed Yash’s “Toxic” in North India and Nepal. It has also reportedly bagged distribution rights for the Hindi version of Prabhas’s “Fauzi.”
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PVR INOX Pictures
The popular multiplex chain has the biggest line-up as a distributor with a release or two per week at the box office. In August, it had Sunny Deol’s “Batwara 1947,” Jeet’s Bengali film “Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat,” the Gujarati movie “Tom & Cherry” and two Hollywood films, “Mutiny” and “Tony.”
Hollywood films like “The Magic Faraway Tree,” “Onslaught,” “Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour - Live from Paris,” “Fall 2,” “The Uprising,” “Runner,” “Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom” and “Primetime” will be part of the September line-up along with the Bengali film “Winkle Twinkle,” Korean concert movie “Neo City: The Redline” and Hindi film “Vibe.”
In October, PVR INOX has strong international content lined up. While the English slate includes “Boiuna: Legend of the Amazon,” “A Talent for Murder” and “Doraemon Castle of the Undersea Devil,” it also has two BTS concert films, “BTS World Tour Arirang: Buenos Aires” and “BTS World Tour Arirang: Sao Paulo.” As for Indian films, the list comprises two Bengali films, “Emperor vs Sarat Chandra” and “Eken Babu,” along with the Hindi film “Raftaar”
Five English titles will be distributed by the national cinema chain in November-December, including “Victorian Psycho,” “I Play Rocky,” “Paper Tiger,” “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” and “Above the Below,” in addition to an untitled Hindi film featuring Akshay Kumar, which is directed by Anees Bazmee.
The theatrical chain will also distribute Sunny Deol's "Gabru."
Red Giant Movies
The big studio from Tamil Nadu will distribute Rajinikanth’s “Dharman” and “KH × RK Reunion,” featuring Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, in addition to co-producing it.
Sree Venkateswara Creations
The production house owned by Dil Raju is distributing the dubbed version “Toxic” in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Since it is co-producing Akshay Kumar’s next with Anees Bazmee and Salman Khan’s next with Vamshi Paidipally, it will distribute both biggies with PVR INOX.
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