In a cinematic landscape usually dominated by big-budget blockbusters, an underdog supernatural thriller has taken the Indian box office by storm. Obsession, starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, hit Indian theatres on May 29, 2026, and has rapidly transformed into one of the biggest surprise success stories of the year. Directed by Curry Barker, this micro-budget indie horror project was made for less than $1 million. Yet, it has completely captivated local moviegoers, driven by highly intense word-of-mouth recommendations, a unique premise, and a sudden wave of viral online debates.
What Is Obsession About?
The supernatural thriller revolves around Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a lonely music-store employee struggling to find connection. His life takes a dark turn when he comes into possession of a mysterious, supernatural artifact known as the “One Wish Willow.” According to urban legend, breaking the object grants the user a single, ultimate wish.
Desperate for affection, Bear uses the artifact to make his co-worker, Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette), fall madly in love with him. However, the wish unleashes terrifying and deeply disturbing consequences. Bear quickly realizes that Nikki’s genuine emotions and memories have been violently distorted by the curse. As her romantic affection morphs into a horrific, inescapable fixation, Bear learns a grim truth: the curse can only be broken if either he or Nikki dies. His frantic attempts to reverse the supernatural contract only lead to increasingly tragic and gruesome events.
CBFC Cuts Spark Major Online Controversy
Despite its commercial triumph, Obsession has found itself at the center of a heated censorship row in India. Before its theatrical release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the movie with an Adults-Only (‘A’) certificate but mandated 38 seconds of total trims. Reports indicate the board ordered the removal of a 24-second sequence depicting graphic violence and a 14-second sexually explicit scene, alongside modifications to a visual containing nudity.
Fan Frustration:
The intervention immediately sparked backlash across social media platforms, with cinephiles questioning why an already restricted ‘A’-rated film required additional sanitization. “Just watched Obsession from Cinépolis, Kerala. Due to substantial cuts on violence and a sex scene (mind you—for an A-rated movie!), a major part of the plot was missed,” voiced an irritated user on X.
Dominating the Box Office and Bollywood Peers
The heavy-handed censorship, however, has done very little to slow down the film’s financial momentum. Obsession scored a phenomenal opening weekend in India, raking in approximately Rs 9.3 crore gross.
Even more impressive was its theatrical resilience early in the week. On Monday, the indie horror film collected an incredible Rs 2 crore in India, completely outperforming local Bollywood competition. For context, the high-profile romance drama Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, pulled in Rs 78 lakh on the exact same Monday as it cruised through its second week of release.
Bollywood A-Listers Join the Fanbase
The film’s viral reach has received an extra boost from leading Bollywood stars who have taken to social media to praise Curry Barker’s direction. Despite her own movie running in theatres simultaneously, Ananya Panday shared the film’s poster on her Instagram stories, writing: “I can’t get this film out of my head. Safe to say I am obsessed.”
Prior to her post, youth icon Kartik Aaryan also gave the movie a glowing endorsement, telling his followers: “One of the best horror films after a very long time! What a movie!! Absolutely obsessed with #Obsession!! Don’t miss this one.” With widespread backing from local creators, critical acclaim for its tight pacing, and massive profitability worldwide, Obsession has cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon for 2026.