The Indian box office is witnessing a colossal clash of titans in the final weeks of 2025. James Cameron's long-awaited sci-fi epic, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', has stormed into theatres, presenting formidable competition to the runaway success of Ranveer Singh's Bollywood offering, 'Dhurandhar'. Released globally on December 19, 2025, the third chapter of the 'Avatar' saga is living up to its massive anticipation with a powerful financial start on Indian soil.
Avatar 3's Impressive Box Office March
According to industry reports from Sacnilk, the film has demonstrated robust footfalls since its premiere. 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has successfully crossed the Rs 60 crore net collection mark in India within just three days of its release, a significant feat for an English-language film. The movie's collections have shown a healthy upward trend over its first weekend, capitalizing on the holiday period.
The day-wise breakdown of the film's net collection in India is as follows:
- Day 1 (First Friday, Dec 19): Rs 19.00 crore
- Day 2 (First Saturday, Dec 20): Rs 22.25 crore
- Day 3 (First Sunday, Dec 21): Rs 25.00 crore
This brings the total net collection to Rs 66.25 crore. The film recorded an overall English occupancy of 45.96% on Sunday, December 21, indicating strong audience interest in major metropolitan centres and multiplexes.
A New Chapter in the Pandora Saga
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' marks the third instalment in the groundbreaking franchise that began with 'Avatar' in December 2009. The sequel, 'Avatar: The Way of Water', followed after a 13-year gap in December 2022. True to Cameron's planned timeline, this third part has arrived after a three-year interval.
The film sees the return of franchise stalwarts Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet. With a reported budget exceeding USD 400 million, the film is one of the most expensive productions ever made. Director James Cameron has already confirmed plans for two more sequels, with 'Avatar 4' and 'Avatar 5' in various production stages and slated for 2029 and 2031 releases respectively.
The Big Picture: A Two-Horse Race
The strong opening of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' sets the stage for an intriguing box office battle in the coming weeks. Its performance highlights the growing appetite for high-quality visual spectacles among Indian audiences, capable of drawing them away from dominant domestic releases. The film's success also underscores the enduring global appeal of the 'Avatar' universe and James Cameron's directorial prowess. As the holiday season continues, all eyes will be on whether the Na'vi can maintain their box office momentum against the charm of Bollywood's Ranveer Singh in the weeks to come.
