Jabardasth Anchor Anasuya Bharadwaj Into Politics?

When Avatar released in 2009, it took the global box office by storm, smashing records and remaining untouched for years. Riding on that historic success, director James Cameron announced four more installments in the franchise. However, the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, didn’t quite live up to expectations. Though it collected huge numbers thanks to enormous pre-release hype, the content left many viewers underwhelmed.

That disappointment is now reflecting strongly on the franchise. Avatar 3: Fire and Ash is gearing up for release, yet the buzz is surprisingly low. Compared to the frenzy around the first two parts, the response to the third film feels muted. Even with a worldwide December release locked, excitement is barely noticeable.

In India as well, December 19 has been kept completely free for Avatar 3. No major Telugu film has staked a claim on that date. Instead, four movies are crowding the current weekend, and the Christmas slot is also jam-packed. Akhanda 2 is still waiting for clarity. Some film enthusiasts feel that Telugu filmmakers missed an opportunity—one or two films could have easily arrived on December 19. With the current lukewarm buzz, there doesn’t seem to be a strong ‘fear factor’ surrounding Avatar 3. Unless the talk is exceptionally positive, the film may not heavily impact local releases. In the Telugu states especially, it’s uncertain whether this installment can recreate the earlier dominance.

Given the situation, releasing a couple of Telugu films alongside Avatar 3 might not have been risky at all.