The Na’vi have returned to Indian shores, but they’ve encountered an unexpected roadblock in the form of a homegrown spy-thriller. James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash (Avatar 3) made its highly anticipated debut on Friday, December 19, 2025, opening to respectable numbers but falling short of the massive benchmarks set by its predecessor.
The Numbers: A Strong but Diminished Start
According to early trade estimates, Avatar: Fire and Ash collected approximately ₹19–₹21 crore (net) across all languages in India on its opening day. While a ₹20 crore start is considered a "good" opening for most Hollywood films, it represents a significant 50% drop compared to Avatar: The Way of Water, which debuted at ₹41 crore in 2022.
The film saw its strongest occupancy in premium formats:
- IMAX 3D (English): 70% occupancy
- Telugu 3D: 53% occupancy
- Hindi 3D: 28% occupancy (impacted by heavy competition)
Is it a "Big Blow" to Dhurandhar?
Contrary to expectations that a global juggernaut like Avatar would sweep aside local competition, the real story at the Indian box office is the continued dominance of Dhurandhar.
Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, the spy actioner is currently in its third week. In a rare box office feat, Dhurandhar earned an estimated ₹22.50 crore on its 15th day—outperforming the Day 1 collection of Avatar 3.
"It’s a David vs. Goliath situation, except David is a 15-day-old Indian spy," noted a senior trade analyst. "Avatar hasn't dealt a blow to Dhurandhar; rather, Dhurandhar has successfully defended its territory, forcing James Cameron's film to settle for fewer screens and a lower-than-projected opening."
Why the Avatar "Dip"?
Several factors contributed to the slower start for the "Ash People" saga:
- The Dhurandhar Wave: Ranveer Singh’s film has become a cultural phenomenon, crossing ₹480 crore in India and maintaining high demand for screens.
- Mixed Early Reviews: While visually stunning, some critics have called the plot "repetitive," affecting the early "must-see" urgency.
- Fragmented Audience: With high ticket prices for IMAX and 4DX, many families are choosing the high-octane entertainment of Dhurandhar over the 3-hour runtime of Avatar.
The Road Ahead
Despite the "average" start by Cameron's standards, Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to see a major jump on Saturday and Sunday. With the Christmas holiday week approaching, trade experts believe the film will show "long legs" and eventually find its footing, aiming for a ₹75–80 crore opening weekend.
