Adipurush, directed by Om Raut, is an ambitious Indian mythological action film inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana. Featuring a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sunny Singh, and Devdutta Nage, the film was made simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, aiming for a pan-India appeal. Despite a massive ₹700 crore budget, it grossed around ₹388.35 crore worldwide, making it a commercial underperformer but one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
🔹 Adipurush Overall Budget Allocation
| Stage | Percentage | Estimated Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Production | 10% | ₹70 crore |
| Production (Filming) | 50% | ₹350 crore |
| Post-Production | 15% | ₹105 crore |
| Release & Promotion | 25% | ₹175 crore |
| Total Budget | 100% | ₹700 crore |
🔹 1. Adipurush Pre-Production Budget
The pre-production phase of Adipurush was extensive due to the mythological nature of the film, requiring:
- Scriptwriting & Adaptation of Ramayana: ₹10 crore
- Concept Art & World Building: ₹15 crore
- Casting & Talent Contracts: ₹10 crore
- Location Scouting (India & Abroad): ₹8 crore
- Workshops for Cast (Dialogue, Weaponry, etc.): ₹5 crore
- Legal, Insurance, Permissions & Miscellaneous: ₹22 crore
➤ Specialized mythological research teams and digital concept artists worked intensively to visualize the world of Ramayana with a modern cinematic approach.
🔹 2. Adipurush Production / Filming Budget
This was the core chunk of the film’s budget, given the large sets, elaborate costumes, high fees of the A-list cast, and top-tier equipment.
🎥 Adipurush Major Expense Heads
| Subcategory | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Lead Actors’ Salaries | ₹150 crore |
| – Prabhas | ₹100 crore |
| – Saif Ali Khan | ₹15 crore |
| – Kriti Sanon | ₹10 crore |
| – Other Cast & Cameos | ₹25 crore |
| Director, AD & Technical Teams | ₹20 crore |
| Costumes, Jewelry & Props | ₹25 crore |
| Set Construction (Mythical Worlds) | ₹40 crore |
| Camera Equipment & Technology | ₹20 crore |
| Lighting & Visual Capture Tools | ₹10 crore |
| Location Shoots & Studio Rentals | ₹30 crore |
| Crew Travel, Stay, Logistics | ₹15 crore |
| Total Production Cost | ₹350 crore |
➤ Many scenes were shot using green screens and VFX-ready studios in Mumbai and Hyderabad, minimizing physical location costs but boosting digital integration costs.
🔹 3. Adipurush Post-Production
Post-production played a massive role in Adipurush, especially considering its heavy dependence on visual effects (VFX).
| Subcategory | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Editing & Sound Design | ₹15 crore |
| Original Score & Background Music | ₹10 crore |
| Voice Dubbing in Multiple Languages | ₹10 crore |
| Visual Effects (VFX) | ₹60 crore |
| CGI Creature Design & 3D Animation | ₹10 crore |
➤ The VFX-heavy film was meant to resemble high-end fantasy epics. However, it received mixed reviews due to the perceived quality and tone of digital visuals.
🔹 4. Adipurush Marketing, Promotion & Release Budget
The scale of the film demanded a pan-India, multilingual release with global visibility. The marketing budget reflects that.
| Subcategory | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Teaser, Trailer & Music Launch Events | ₹20 crore |
| TV, Radio & Print Advertising | ₹30 crore |
| Outdoor Hoardings, Metros & Malls | ₹25 crore |
| Digital Marketing & YouTube Ads | ₹20 crore |
| International Promotions (UAE, US) | ₹15 crore |
| PR Teams, Cast Tours, Interviews | ₹20 crore |
| Distribution Rights & Logistics | ₹25 crore |
| Premiere Screenings & Festival Shows | ₹20 crore |
➤ Despite extensive promotion, the film failed to meet commercial expectations due to controversies and mixed critical responses.
🔹 Adipurush Other Important Budget Components
▶ Technical Equipment & Cinematography
- Cameras: Arri Alexa LF & Red Monstro – ₹8 crore
- Special Effects Rigs (Motion Capture, 3D rigs) – ₹4 crore
- Lighting Systems (LED SkyPanels, Soft Lights) – ₹3 crore
- Digital Storage & Backup Systems – ₹1.5 crore
▶ Shooting Locations
- India: Ramoji Film City (Hyderabad), Film City (Mumbai)
- Abroad: Limited international work; mostly studio-based CGI environments
Despite being one of the costliest Indian films ever with a ₹700 crore budget, Adipurush underperformed commercially. The film’s reliance on heavy CGI, star salaries, and marketing over practical storytelling and grounded production led to polarizing feedback.
🔸 Final Figures:
- Budget: ₹700 crore
- Worldwide Gross: ₹388.35 crore
- Loss Incurred: Approx. ₹300+ crore
⭐ Final Thoughts:
Adipurush was a cinematic gamble — an attempt to blend mythology with cutting-edge technology. Though the vision was grand, execution gaps in visual quality and creative decisions hindered its success. Nevertheless, it remains a reference point in discussions about high-risk, high-budget filmmaking in India.