Avatar 3 vs Dhurandhar: The Christmas Box Office War Begins

Category: Box Office Analysis | Read Time: 5 Minutes | Data Updated: Dec 17, 2025

The trade analysts said it was suicide. They said releasing a Bollywood film just two weeks before James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash was a mistake.

But as of December 17, 2025, the narrative has flipped.

Aditya Dhar’s spy-thriller Dhurandhar has not only crossed the ₹400 Crore mark (Net India) but is refusing to surrender screens to the Hollywood giant. With Avatar 3 releasing this Friday (Dec 19), we are witnessing a rare “David vs. Goliath” battle at the Indian Box Office.

Here is the definitive breakdown of the Screen Count War, Ticket Price Inflation, and why Akshaye Khanna’s “Rehman Dakait” might just survive the “Blue Wave.”

Related: The Unsung ‘Dhurandhar’: How Akshaye Khanna Dhurandhar Role Stole the Show (and Why He Was Paid Only ₹2.5 Crore)

The Numbers Game: Where They Stand (Dec 17)

While Avatar 3 is a global monster, Dhurandhar has the “Home Ground” advantage. Here is the current standing:

Key Insight:Avatar 3 advance bookings are currently 30% lower than Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) at the same point. This vulnerability has given Dhurandhar exhibitors the confidence to refuse screen-sharing deals.

Related: Dhurandhar Box Office Report: Ranveer Singh Smashing Records, Crosses ₹100 Cr in Just 4 Days

The Screen Count War: Single Screens vs. IMAX

The real battle isn’t on social media; it’s in the distribution offices.

1. The Multiplex Monopoly (Advantage: Avatar) National chains like PVR-INOX are contractually bound to give Avatar 3 all prime-time IMAX and 4DX slots. If you live in a Metro city, Dhurandhar shows will be pushed to non-prime slots (10 AM or 10 PM) starting Friday.

2. The Mass Belt Rebellion (Advantage: Dhurandhar) In Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities (Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow), single-screen owners are doing the unthinkable: Rejecting Avatar. Why? Because Dhurandhar is still filling 60% of seats.

• Quote from an Exhibitor:“Why should I remove a set film for a 3-hour English movie that my audience might not understand? Ranveer and Akshaye are bringing in the crowds.”

Price Wars: The “Class” Divide

This weekend creates a stark economic divide for moviegoers:

• The Premium Experience: Watching Avatar 3 in IMAX 3D will cost a family of four nearly ₹8,000 (including F&B).

• The Mass Choice: Watching Dhurandhar will cost the same family ₹1,200.

With inflation high, analysts predict that while Avatar will win the “Gross Collection” due to high ticket prices, Dhurandhar might actually sell more tickets (Footfalls) in the Hindi belt this weekend.

Content Clash: VFX vs. Emotion

Ultimately, this is a battle of genres.

• Avatar 3 promises the “Ash People” and new fire biomes. It is a visual spectacle.

• Dhurandhar is riding on raw emotion and “Desi Swag.”

  • The X-Factor: Akshaye Khanna’s performance as Rehman Dakait has become a cult phenomenon. The viral “FA9LA” dance challenge is keeping the movie relevant on Reels, ensuring young audiences still choose it over the blue aliens.

Final Verdict: Can They Co-Exist?

History suggests they can. In 2023, Animal and Sam Bahadur survived together. In 2025, Dhurandhar has enough momentum to be the perfect “Counter-Programming.”

Prediction: Avatar 3 will open massive (₹35 Cr+), but Dhurandhar will not crash. It will settle at a stable ₹10-12 Cr/day, marching towards the ₹500 Cr club.

The Regional Split: Where Will Avatar Dominate?

The battleground isn’t evenly split across India. The box office map tells two different stories:

• South India (The Avatar Fortress): In states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, Avatar 3 is uncontested. The dubbing quality of the franchise is legendary here. Exhibitors report that Dhurandhar shows have been voluntarily reduced to near zero in these regions to accommodate the Hollywood giant.

• North India (The Dhurandhar Stronghold): In the Hindi Heartland (UP, Bihar, MP, Delhi), the story is different. Dhurandhar is deeply rooted in local dialect and culture. Single screens in cities like Kanpur and Patna have refused to replace a running hit (Dhurandhar) with a subtitled/dubbed sci-fi movie. Here, Akshaye Khanna is arguably a bigger draw than Pandora.

Opening Weekend Prediction: The Numbers Game of Avatar 3 vs Dhurandhar

Based on current advance booking trends and screen retention rates, here is our projection for the coming weekend (Dec 19-21):

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Dhurandhar a hit or flop?

A: Dhurandhar is a massive hit. As of December 17, 2025, it has crossed the ₹400 Crore mark worldwide and is trending towards a “Super Hit” verdict despite the clash with Avatar 3.

Q: When is Avatar 3 releasing in India?

A: Avatar: Fire and Ash releases in India on Friday, December 19, 2025. It will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Q: Will Dhurandhar be removed from theaters for Avatar 3?

A: Not entirely. While Avatar 3 will take over most IMAX and multiplex screens, Dhurandhar has retained a majority of single screens and prime-time shows in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities due to strong demand.

Q: What is the ticket price for Avatar 3 in India?

A: Ticket prices for Avatar 3 are at a premium, ranging from ₹650 to ₹2,200 for IMAX 3D formats. In contrast, Dhurandhar tickets are currently priced between ₹250 and ₹450.

Q: Can Dhurandhar cross ₹500 Crore?

A: Trade analysts predict that if Dhurandhar maintains its current hold in the mass belts, it will cross the ₹500 Crore milestone by its 4th weekend, joining the elite club of Bollywood blockbusters.

Watch Dhurandhar and Avatar3 Official Trailer: You Tube

You May Like To read:

Top 15 Incredibly Beautiful Women from Across the World

Krystyna Pyszkova, Representing The Czech Republic, Crowned Miss World 2024!

Mahindra Thar Roxx Unleashes New Era of Adventure with Cutting-Edge Features

How to Choose the Right School ERP with AI Features

Everything You Need to Know About School ERP Software 2025

AI-Powered School ERP for CBSE Schools in 2025 | UDT eSchool

Top 10 School ERP Software Solutions in India for 2025: Why UDT eSchool Leads the Way

Source: Google Google News  NSE BSE

News Desk: News Lounge 24×7

Education and Marketing Desk: eSchool – Digital Marketing Agency

Ecommerce Desk: Zaamoon

School AI Powered ERP: UDT eSchool

Watch Our News Channel On: You Tube

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above in news headlines are those of individual analysts or media companies, and not of News Lounge 24×7. We advise readers to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.