I had been hearing about Obsession for quite some time. The film was reportedly made on a shoestring budget of just USD 750,000, which is roughly Rs 7 crore. Yet it went on to become a global phenomenon, earning more than USD 225 million worldwide.
At an exchange rate of Rs 96 to a dollar, that translates to an astonishing Rs 2,160 crore. Numbers like these naturally make one curious.
I had been meaning to watch it for weeks, but somehow kept postponing the visit. Weeks after its release, I finally made it to the theatre today.
Before walking in, I knew almost nothing about the storyline. All I had heard was that it was an intense psychological thriller with an intriguing narrative and a fictional "make a wish" kind of element at its core. Beyond that, I went in completely blind.
My first impression was rather unusual. For the opening few minutes, the film felt almost like an extended YouTube short film.
The characters, the dialogue, the ambient sound design and the overall presentation seemed far removed from the polished cinematic experience we normally associate with theatres.
Yet, within about fifteen minutes, the film quietly pulled me into its world. Its atmosphere, mood and unsettling tone gradually took over.
As the title suggests, Obsession revolves around the extreme and disturbing fixation of a woman named Nikky on her colleague, Bear.
The reasons behind this obsession are tied to the film's mysterious "One Wish Willow" element, which I would rather not discuss here because it would spoil the experience.
This is one of those films that is best approached with as little prior information as possible.
What impressed me most was the intensity of certain scenes. Some shots are staged and executed with such disturbing effectiveness that they continue to linger long after the credits roll. They follow you out of the theatre and, in some cases, even into your sleep.
On a lighter note, I will only say this; after watching Obsession, I found myself feeling a little sorry for husbands who have to deal with overly possessive, perpetually shouting wives who insist on running every aspect of their lives.
As a woman, I should perhaps be taking Nikky's side. Instead, the film left me sympathising with the poor men who find themselves trapped in relationships where obsession masquerades as affection.
Of course, Obsession explores this theme through a fictional lens, using the mysterious "One Wish Willow" and its supernatural undertones rather than portraying an ordinary husband-wife or boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.
That imaginative element is precisely what makes the film's unsettling premise all the more intriguing.
Usha Chowdhary
