'Avatar 2' makes a promising start in India, collects Rs 20 cr in advance booking

'Avatar: The Way of Water', which hit the theatres globally today(December 16) has reportedly opened to a humongous response from the Indian audience.

According to trade reports, the James Cameron directorial may set the Indian box-office on fire. The Hindustan Times reported that the much-anticipated sequel to the 2009 fantasy-action film has sold tickets worth Rs 20 crore, in advance booking on the first day of its release. In terms of advanced booking, this figure is one of the highest reported this year, only behind biggies like ‘RRR’, ‘KGF:Chapter 2’, ‘Brahmastra’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.

This gigantic figure is even more astounding as the ticket prices for the 3D action-adventure are reportedly quite steep at Rs 2500-Rs 3000. However, tickets have still sold out like hotcakes.


If the trend continues, the movie can easily rake in Rs 40-50 crores at the box-office on the first day. This will put the James Cameron movie ahead of not just Hollywood releases in India but desi movies, as well. Only two films have managed that feat, this year - ‘RRR’ and ‘KGF 2’. Trade pundits are predicting that the Zoe Saldana-Sam Worthington starrer will gross $600 million worldwide in the first weekend.

The movie has gathered huge praise for its VFX and ethereal visuals. Many A-listers from Bollywood have gushed about the James Cameron directorial on the social media. Bollywood’s Khiladi, Akshay Kumar who attended the special screening organised for Bollywood celebs in Mumbai praised the movie profuse on social media.

Taking to Twitter he tweeted that he was mind blown by the visuals and found the film to be “magnificent”. He also hailed the movie as “the most important film for the future of cinema”. The post read - "Watched #AvatarTheWayOfWater last night and Oh boy!! MAGNIFICENT is the word. Am still spellbound. Want to bow down before your genius craft, @JimCameron. Live on!"
Varun Dhawan couldn’t hold back his inner fanboy. The ‘Bhediya’ star tweeted that he was “blown away by the visuals and emotions”. He also added that he planned to watch it in Imax 3D.
Directed by James Cameron, the movie is the much-awaited sequel to the 2009 blockbuster ‘Avatar’. The film also marks the reunion of Cameron and Kate Winslet, 25 years of the 1997 mega-hit romantic-drama 'Titanic'.