"Avatar: Fire and Ash," the highly anticipated third installment in James Cameron's epic sci-fi saga, is making waves in India even before its official release. Advance ticket sales have commenced with impressive momentum, signaling strong audience interest in the film.
With over a week still to go before the film's release on December 19, "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has already grossed over Rs. 4 crore in pre-sales across India. This figure represents the combined sales from major national cinema chains and other theaters. Over 50,000 tickets have been sold for the opening weekend across two national chains. The film is releasing in multiple languages - English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
The initial response to advance bookings has been strong, particularly for IMAX viewings. Bookings for IMAX tickets began last week, with general bookings opening subsequently. The demand for these premium format screenings has driven ticket prices up, with IMAX 3D tickets for night shows in Delhi reaching as high as Rs 2,400. The lowest price for morning show tickets begin at Rs 470.
While these numbers are substantial, they are still trailing behind the pre-sales figures of "Avatar: The Way of Water," which had raked in over Rs. 12 crore before its release. Several factors account for this difference. "Avatar: The Way of Water" was a long-awaited sequel to the original "Avatar," which had become a global cultural phenomenon. The current film is releasing three years after the previous installment. However, analysts expect the pre-sales for "Fire and Ash" to pick up steam closer to the release date.
James Cameron has urged audiences not to judge his movies until the third weekend, citing the importance of word-of-mouth and sustained audience engagement. Film trade analysts are optimistic about the film's potential, with some predicting an opening day collection of Rs 30-35 crore nett (Rs 36-42 crore gross) in India. The film has generated considerable buzz, with over 1.3 million people expressing interest on BookMyShow. According to Sacnilk, this level of interest could translate to collections exceeding Rs 500 crore.
The release of "Avatar: Fire and Ash" is expected to impact the box office performance of Bollywood films currently in theaters, including "Dhurandhar". "Dhurandhar" has performed well, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark in its opening weekend and currently standing at over Rs 180 crore. However, the Na'vi could soon take over the screens.
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" continues the story of the Sully family as they navigate new challenges and confront a new foe. The film introduces new clans and creatures, expanding the world of Pandora. Oona Chaplin joins the cast as Varang, the formidable matriarch of the Ash People, who leads the clan of Pandora. Returning cast members include Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver.
