Ram Gopal Varma decodes Hollywood film Obsession breakthrough success, gets a earful from netizens

Ram Gopal Varma. Pic via X

Hollywood film Obsession has turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the year. The horror film made on a shoestring budget of USD 50,000 has already grossed USD 170 million worldwide. Amid its breakthrough success, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on Sunday reviewed the film and also shared his thoughts on how the film has touched a chord with audiences worldwide.

Ram Gopal Varma on Obsession

RGV took to X and wrote, "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."

In a separate post on X, RGV shared his insights on the film's editing and directorial style. He said, "Am obsessed with Obsession.. Till even a few weeks before the whole industry believed that only big starred, massive budgeted, Vfx spectacle films will pull audience into the theatres and now Obsession reset that button. No big stars, no grand locations no lavish production design no foreign shoots no top technicians and contrary to it's reported budget of 7 cr (Indian) it's easy to see , it's pure making cost cannot be more than 70 lakhs minus technical fees considering it's entirely shot in exactly 3 locations ( two rooms in a modest house, interior of a car and interior of a small store." (sic)

He added, "The directors style is visually simplistic but very unique ( I was especially struck with his use of too much head space in many shots which strangely enhances the mood ) He treats editing not just as a technical craft but as psychological weapon blending rapid cuts with especially lengthy stays (case in point is long stay on Nikki's face in interval shot ) These kind of long takes build unbearable tension because the audience is trapped in the character's perspective with no escape."

Internet reacts

However, Ram Gopal Varma's statement of ‘every woman having a bit of Nikki' did not sit well with the internet. Social media users trolled the filmmaker, saying he did not understand the film's premise.

One user wrote, "The movie isn't about Nikki to begin with, what did you smoke before stepping into the theatre, Ramu?" Meanwhile, another user sarcastically asked, "Are you suggesting every man is like the male lead."