‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ box office collection Day 4: James Cameron’s sci-fi film fails to break ‘Dhurandhar’ craze in India; total collection crosses 70 crore

James Cameron’s much-anticipated sci-fi epic Avatar: Fire and Ash opened in India with strong expectations, driven by the legacy of the Avatar franchise and the director’s track record of redefining cinematic scale. Early numbers suggested the film would pose a serious challenge to the ongoing dominance of Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar. However, as Day 4 collections rolled in, it became clear that the Hollywood heavyweight was struggling to dent the local juggernaut’s momentum.

The first weekend gave Avatar: Fire and Ash a solid foundation. Indian audiences turned up in large numbers, especially in premium formats, eager to experience James Cameron’s latest vision on the big screen. The film posted impressive figures over its opening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, signaling that interest in the Avatar universe remains strong. Yet, the real test came on Monday — a crucial indicator of how well a film holds beyond initial hype.

On Day 4, Avatar: Fire and Ash saw a noticeable dip in collections. While weekday drops are common, the decline highlighted a key challenge: sustaining interest in the face of stiff domestic competition. By the end of its fourth day, the film’s total box office collection in India had crossed the ₹70 crore mark, a respectable figure by most standards, but not enough to overshadow the frenzy surrounding Dhurandhar.

What makes this clash particularly interesting is the contrast in audience connection. Avatar: Fire and Ash leans heavily on visual spectacle, immersive world-building, and the continuation of a globally recognized saga. In contrast, Dhurandhar taps into nationalist sentiment, real-world inspirations, and a genre that resonates deeply with Indian viewers — the espionage thriller rooted in contemporary history. That emotional proximity appears to be giving the Indian film a decisive edge.

Trade analysts have pointed out that despite Avatar: Fire and Ash performing well globally, its Indian trajectory reflects a more nuanced market reality. Hollywood films, even massive franchises, are no longer guaranteed dominance simply by scale or brand value. Audience preferences are evolving, and locally rooted stories with strong word-of-mouth can hold their ground — or even overpower — international releases.

Occupancy data from Day 4 further supports this trend. English screenings witnessed a dip as the workweek began, suggesting that casual viewers opted to delay or skip weekday shows. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar continued to draw steady crowds, benefiting from repeat viewings and sustained buzz. This gap underscores how audience loyalty and cultural relevance can influence box office legs far more than opening weekend numbers alone.

That said, Avatar: Fire and Ash is far from a failure. Crossing ₹70 crore within four days places it among the stronger Hollywood performers in India this year. The film continues to attract viewers in IMAX and 3D formats, where James Cameron’s visual storytelling truly shines. Its long-term performance will likely depend on weekend rebounds and holiday footfalls, especially among families and sci-fi enthusiasts.

The film also carries the weight of future expectations. As the third installment in the Avatar series, Fire and Ash serves as a bridge to upcoming sequels already announced by Cameron. For many fans, watching it in theaters is part of a long-term investment in the franchise’s evolving narrative, rather than a one-off cinematic outing.

In the larger picture, the India box office battle between Avatar: Fire and Ash and Dhurandhar reflects a shifting balance. Hollywood spectacles still matter, but they now share space with homegrown films that understand the pulse of the local audience. For filmmakers and distributors alike, this clash is a reminder that scale alone doesn’t guarantee supremacy — connection does.

As the week progresses, all eyes remain on how Avatar: Fire and Ash performs over its second weekend. Whether it regains momentum or continues its steady pace, one thing is clear: breaking the Dhurandhar craze in India is no easy task.