30 May,2026 11:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Still from Obsession
The independent horror film Obsession has become the talk of the town following its surprising box-office success. Made on a modest budget of approximately Rs 7 crore (under 1 million dollars), the film has already emerged as one of the most profitable releases of 2026. According to reports, it has earned nearly 100 million dollars worldwide within days of its release. However, in India, the film is making headlines for a different reason- censorship. Reportedly, the CBFC ordered cuts to key scenes before its release.
Curry Barker's supernatural horror film was released in India on May 29 amid strong buzz. Despite receiving an A (Adults Only) certification, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly mandated the removal of 38 seconds of footage for its Indian release.
The CBFC certificate indicates that the film's runtime is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Standard anti-smoking, anti-tobacco, and anti-liquor disclaimers were also inserted where required.
However, the most notable changes involved the reduction of 24 seconds of scenes featuring "extreme violence" and the complete removal of 14 seconds depicting "graphic sexual activity," resulting in a total of 38 seconds of footage being cut. A nude visual was also reportedly removed from the film.
Directed, written, and edited by filmmaker Curry Barker, Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a lonely music store employee who discovers a mysterious supernatural toy capable of granting wishes. His desire to make his childhood friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, fall in love with him unleashes terrifying consequences that spiral into psychological horror.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before receiving a theatrical release on May 15. Positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth quickly turned the low-budget horror film into a surprise box-office sensation.
In North America alone, the film's second-weekend collections reportedly surged to nearly 22 million dollars, surpassing its opening weekend earnings , a rare achievement in modern box-office trends.
What makes the film's success particularly remarkable is its comparison with much bigger productions. While films such as Project Hail Mary and Michael have earned significantly more worldwide, they were made on budgets running into hundreds of millions of dollars. Obsession, by contrast, has delivered extraordinary returns on a fraction of those costs.
The internet also expressed disappointment over the CBFC-mandated cuts, with many viewers questioning the decision to censor scenes despite the film carrying an A certificate.
