Advance bookings for Avatar The Way of Water surpass 20 crore in India, Tamil Nadu and other southern states refuse to screen their citizens.

As local choices fail to please moviegoers, Indian theatres are counting on James Cameron‘s highly anticipated sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, which is set to be released on Friday, 13 years after the original Avatar picture dazzled viewers.

Several theatre owners in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are refusing to screen Hollywood director James Cameron’s quarter-billion-dollar film Avatar: The Way of Water because the film’s producers are demanding a 70% cut of revenue collections, rather than the usual 50% cut given to Hollywood films.

While Avatar 2 sold less tickets than some of the films listed below it in terms of maximum advance booking, it earned more due to higher average ticket pricing. This is owing to the film’s widespread distribution in 3D and IMAX theatres. Certain IMAX performances may cost up to $2500-3000 per ticket in certain areas. Surprisingly, several of these performances are already sold out, even as late as Sunday.

“The flow of water links everything. The water is our home both before and after we are born.” Beyond the 3D visual extravaganza that Avatar is, which we expect from James Cameron, the franchise’s brilliance rests in its underlying spiritual journey and homage to life’s continuity. Life always finds a way. It develops regardless of its circumstances because love is transforming.

Welcome back to Pandora. Listen to the Avatar: The Way of Water soundtrack featuring the song “Nothing is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” by @theweeknd and original score from @simonfranglen.https://t.co/3XqdySxalZ

See #AvatarTheWayOfWater, only in theaters December 16. pic.twitter.com/0ijfF82fh2

— Avatar (@officialavatar) December 15, 2022