Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 8: Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has heaped praise on independent thriller Obsession, applauding both its commercial success and innovative filmmaking techniques, while suggesting the film has challenged conventional industry beliefs about what drives audiences to theatres.

In a series of social media posts on June 7, Varma shared his thoughts on the film's popularity and the emotional connection it has established with viewers.

“My theory on the tremendous success of OBSESSION / Every woman has a little bit of NIKKI in her, which she too knows / Every man sees a little bit of NIKKI in his woman / Hence the CONNECT,” Varma wrote.

Expressing his admiration, he added, “Am OBSESSED with OBSESSION,” and argued that the film has effectively reset the industry's perception that only star-studded, big-budget productions can achieve theatrical success.

Varma pointed out that the thriller was made without major stars, extravagant production values, foreign shooting locations or expensive visual effects. Referring to reports about the film’s modest budget, he highlighted how much of the narrative unfolds across only a few locations.

The director reserved special praise for filmmaker Curry Barker, commending his visual storytelling and editing style.

According to Varma, Barker’s approach is “visually simplistic but very unique,” citing the use of excessive headroom in shots and unconventional editing patterns that amplify psychological tension.

“He treats editing not just as a technical craft but as a psychological weapon blending rapid cuts with especially lengthy stays,” Varma wrote.

He specifically praised a prolonged close-up of the character Nikki during the film’s interval sequence, saying the shot creates “unbearable tension” by immersing viewers in the character’s emotional state.

Varma also lauded the film’s sound design and editing rhythm, noting that Barker abandons traditional editing conventions in favour of a more chaotic and unpredictable style.

“The result is a film that feels unpredictable and alive, like the editing itself is also a part of the horror,” he observed.

The filmmaker further compared Barker’s lighting techniques to those of acclaimed Hollywood director David Fincher, suggesting that Obsession employs the style with remarkable effectiveness.

Drawing parallels with his own work, Varma later shared a scene from his 1999 psychological thriller Kaun starring Urmila Matondkar and wrote, “I remembered this shot of Urmila from KAUN after watching OBSESSION.”

Written, directed and edited by Barker, Obsession follows Bear, portrayed by Michael Johnston, a lonely music store employee who harbours deep feelings for his childhood friend and co-worker Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette.

Despite its relatively small scale, the film has emerged as a notable success story, attracting widespread audience attention and earning praise for its storytelling, editing and technical execution.