James Cameron's cinematic spectacle, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', is demonstrating remarkable resilience at the Indian box office. The film has successfully maintained a steady pace in its second week, even as it navigates the formidable competition posed by the runaway Bollywood hit, 'Dhurandhar'. On its twelfth day in theatres, the latest 'Avatar' installment continues to attract audiences, proving its lasting appeal.
Steady Collections Amidst Fierce Competition
According to early industry estimates, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' added approximately Rs 5.25 crore to its India net collection on its second Tuesday. This daily earning has pushed the film's cumulative total to an impressive Rs 148.15 crore across all dubbed versions. This performance is notable given the direct clash with 'Dhurandhar', which has itself stormed past the Rs 700 crore net mark domestically.
The film enjoyed a powerful first week, raking in an estimated Rs 109.5 crore in its first seven days. However, a significant slowdown was observed in the second week, with collections dipping to around Rs 38.65 crore. This decline highlights the intense market competition and the challenge of meeting the sky-high expectations set by the franchise's legacy.
Language-Wise Performance: English Leads the Charge
A detailed look at the occupancy and earnings reveals interesting trends about the audience's preferences. The film recorded an overall 29.23% occupancy for its English version, which continues to be the primary driver of its box office success. The Hindi dubbed version registered an 18.67% occupancy, while the Tamil version stood at 17.54%.
These occupancy figures are directly mirrored in the language-wise revenue breakdown:
- English: Rs 64.6 crore (leading contributor)
- Hindi: Rs 48.75 crore
- Tamil: Rs 21.63 crore
- Telugu: Rs 12.49 crore
- Kannada & Malayalam: Rs 0.58 crore combined
Franchise Comparison and Future Challenges
While 'Fire and Ash' is putting up a strong fight, it has yet to cross the benchmarks set by its predecessor. The film's first-week collection is still below that of 'Avatar: The Way of Water', which went on to amass a monumental Rs 391.4 crore net in India. The path ahead presents further tests.
The competition is set to intensify with the release of the new war drama, 'Ikkis', on January 1st. However, the upcoming extended weekend offers a golden opportunity for 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'. The film is poised to cross the Rs 150 crore milestone imminently, setting its sights on the next target of Rs 200 crore. Its ability to hold screens and audience interest in the face of fresh content will determine its final box office stature in the Indian market.
