‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Advance Booking Surges, Set to Outperform ‘Dhurandhar’ in India – 48 Hours to Go

Mumbai: The countdown has begun for the release of James Cameron’s blockbuster sci-fi epic, Avatar: Fire and Ash. With just 48 hours left until its theatrical debut in India and worldwide on Friday, 19 December 2025, advance bookings in India have picked up tremendous pace. Current trends suggest that the film is poised to register a bigger opening day in India than Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’.

Advance Booking Trends:
Tickets for Avatar: Fire and Ash went on sale in India 10 days before release, including IMAX, 3D, 4DX, and standard formats. So far, over 400,000 tickets have already been booked. On platforms like BookMyShow, the film has generated interest from over 1 million users, reflecting the franchise’s immense popularity. By comparison, Dhurandhar opened with ₹28 crore net on its first day, while Avatar 2: The Way of Water collected ₹40.3 crore net on opening day three years ago.

Box Office Predictions:
Industry analysts predict that Avatar: Fire and Ash could earn ₹30-35 crore net in India on its first day, despite the ongoing strong performance of Dhurandhar. While competition from Aditya Dhar’s spy-action blockbuster may affect multiplex collections in northern India, the film’s release in major metropolitan cities is expected to attract massive footfall.

Franchise Context:
This third installment of the Avatar franchise is a direct sequel to 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which grossed ₹391.4 crore net in India. Three years ago, advance bookings for The Way of Water totaled ₹20.94 crore gross. Currently, Fire and Ash has grossed approximately ₹9 crore in advance bookings, with two days left for last-minute pre-sales.

Storyline:
Set a year after the events of the previous film, the story follows Jake and Neytiri’s family in the Metkayina clan as they grapple with the loss of Neteyam. The couple faces a new threat from the aggressive Mangkwan clan, also called the Ash People, led by the cunning Varang, who allies with Jake’s enemy Quaritch.

Cast and Crew:
The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, and Joel David Moore, with David Thewlis and Una Chaplin joining as new characters. Directed by James Cameron, it is produced under the 20th Century Studios banner.

Conclusion:
With soaring advance bookings, massive fan anticipation, and the global franchise legacy, Avatar: Fire and Ash is all set to make a spectacular opening in India, potentially surpassing the initial collections of Dhurandhar and setting the stage for a blockbuster holiday weekend.