‘We’re Just Humans, He Is THE Avatar’: Pushpa Director Sukumar On James Cameron

In the wake of the highly anticipated release of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the third installment in James Cameron's Avatar franchise, acclaimed Indian director Sukumar has shared his enthusiastic review of the film. Sukumar, known for directing the blockbuster "Pushpa," joins the ranks of filmmakers like SS Rajamouli in praising Cameron's cinematic achievement. "Avatar: Fire and Ash" is scheduled to release in theaters on December 19, 2025, continuing the science fiction saga set on the planet Pandora.

Sukumar didn't hold back in expressing his admiration for James Cameron, stating, "James Cameron…he's from Pandora. For directors, he's an Avatar. We're just humans". He emphasized the difficulty of crafting a narrative as compelling and visually stunning as "Avatar: Fire and Ash," calling it an "absolute blockbuster".

The "Pushpa" director highlighted the film's ability to transport viewers to another world. Sukumar said he felt completely immersed in Pandora, emphasizing that the film's three hours and seventeen minutes "just flew away". He further noted that he watched the film alone but didn't feel lonely, as he was entirely engrossed in the experience. Sukumar also recommends "Avatar: Fire and Ash" as a must-see cinematic event for families.

Sukumar drew comparisons between "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and Telugu films, noting the strong emotional core present in both. "It has as much emotion as Telugu movies do. Every frame has that much emotion," Sukumar said, emphasizing the emotional connection he felt with the characters, including Jake, Neytiri, Varang, and Spider. He even admitted that some moments in the film brought him to tears.

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" introduces new characters and conflicts, including the antagonist Varang, played by Oona Chaplin. Described as the first "Fallen Na'vi," Varang leads the Mangkwan Clan after seizing power at a young age. The film delves into complex relationships, such as the conflicts between Jake and Miles and between Neytiri and Varang.

James Cameron has also shared special instructions for theaters to ensure optimal presentation of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," including specifications for light levels, audio configuration, and framing. He emphasized the importance of calibrated picture and sound systems to fully realize the film's dynamics.