What Makes Curry Barker's 'Obsession' a Game-Changer in Horror Cinema?

Curry Barker's film 'Obsession' has emerged as a surprising success in the horror genre, drawing admiration from industry figures like Ram Gopal Varma. In his social media reflections, Varma highlights the film's unique filmmaking techniques and its challenge to traditional industry norms regarding audience appeal. He draws intriguing parallels between the film's lead character, Nikki, and Urmila Matondkar's iconic role in his own classic thriller, 'Kaun'. This article delves into Varma's insights and the psychological depth that makes 'Obsession' a standout in contemporary horror cinema.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2026, 01:10 IST

Ram Gopal Varma's Enthusiastic Take on 'Obsession'

Curry Barker's horror film Obsession has taken the cinematic world by storm, earning praise from audiences and filmmakers alike. Notably, director Ram Gopal Varma has expressed his admiration for the film on social media, sharing his thoughts on its unique approach to psychological horror. He drew an interesting parallel between the film's protagonist, Nikki, and Urmila Matondkar's iconic character from his own 1999 thriller, Kaun.

RGV's Fascination with 'Obsession'

On June 7, Varma took to X to declare his 'obsession' with Obsession, arguing that it challenges traditional notions of what attracts audiences to theaters. He pointed out that the industry often believes that only big-budget films with star-studded casts and elaborate effects can succeed. However, Obsession has proven otherwise.

Varma noted that the film lacks major stars, extravagant settings, and high production costs, suggesting that despite claims of a larger budget, the actual expenses were surprisingly modest, with much of the action taking place in limited locations. What truly captivated him was Barker's distinctive filmmaking style.

He praised Barker's visual techniques, particularly the use of headroom in shots, which he believes enhances the film's unsettling atmosphere. Varma also described the editing as a 'psychological weapon' rather than just a technical tool. The sound design, featuring sharp audio cues like door slams and heartbeats, adds to the film's tension and unpredictability. He likened Barker's lighting techniques to those of acclaimed director David Fincher, suggesting they resonate deeply within the film's narrative.

Nikki's Connection to Urmila Matondkar's Character

In another post, Varma shared his theory on the film's widespread appeal, stating, "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 connection."

He later posted a memorable climax shot of Urmila Matondkar from Kaun, revealing that Nikki reminded him of Urmila's unpredictable character. Varma noted, "I remembered this shot of Urmila from KAUN after watching OBSESSION." This comparison is significant as both characters challenge audience expectations and blur the lines between victimhood and psychological complexity.

Released in 1999, Kaun is celebrated as one of Hindi cinema's finest psychological thrillers. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Anurag Kashyap, the film stars Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, and Sushant Singh. The plot unfolds almost entirely within a house during a stormy night, where Urmila's character, alone and anxious due to news of a serial killer, faces a mysterious stranger seeking refuge.

As the night progresses, themes of suspicion and psychological manipulation take center stage, leading to a shocking climax that reveals Urmila's character as the serial killer, flipping the narrative entirely. The unpredictability and psychological depth of her character have made it iconic among thriller fans, which likely explains Varma's quick association of her with Nikki from Obsession.