The supernatural Hollywood film Obsession is turning into a genuine sleeper hit at the Indian box office, leaving trade experts pleasantly surprised. Industry sources reveal that the film collected approximately Rs. 1.30 crores on its full opening day (Friday, May 29), with numbers expected to jump significantly on Saturday as word-of-mouth spreads.
Box Office Boom – Exhibitors Can’t Keep Up
What started as a limited release has now snowballed into a full-blown demand surge. The film earned Rs. 46 lakhs from paid previews alone on Thursday, despite having just a single show in most cinemas. That number was enough to convince exhibitors to dramatically increase screenings.
A trade source tells us, “Universal Pictures initially asked for just 2 shows per property and didn’t push for a wide release. But once Thursday’s numbers came in, exhibitors themselves started adding shows and even brought the film to properties that had skipped it entirely.” For instance, PVR Le Reve and MovieTime Suburbia in Bandra, Mumbai had no shows on Thursday or Friday but will now play one and two shows respectively from Saturday. Many multiplexes across the country have allocated between 5 and 8 shows daily.
Demand is pouring in from cities like Ahmedabad, and the studio is actively working to increase the screen count further.
The Digital Release Rumour That’s Just Not True
Amid the box office buzz, a rumour began circulating on social media – especially on X – that Obsession would hit OTT platforms on June 2. Fans angry about CBFC cuts in two key scenes started suggesting people skip the theatrical experience and wait for streaming. But sources close to the production have now categorically denied this.
A reliable insider confirms, “Obsession is not releasing on any streaming platform anywhere in the world on June 2. The film came out in North America on May 15, and there’s no way it’ll be available digitally in less than 21 days, especially when it’s performing this strongly.”
According to a Forbes article referenced by industry trackers, Blumhouse productions typically follow a flexible theatrical window model. Films that open below $50 million globally can hit PVOD after just 17 days, while those crossing the $50 million mark get a minimum window of 31 days. Obsession has already grossed over $100 million worldwide on a modest $1 million budget, easily breaching that threshold. Additionally, NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Donna Langley recently announced a minimum 31-day theatrical window for all Universal films, with a plan to extend it to 45 days from 2027.
However, there is a wrinkle: Obsession was released in the US by Focus Features, Universal’s indie vertical, which in the past has used the shorter 17-day PVOD window for smaller films. But given the film’s runaway success, sources insist Focus is unlikely to rush it to digital on June 2. The earliest possible digital date could be around June 16 (if the 31-day window is followed) or even June 30 if the makers decide to hold back due to exceptional theatrical performance.
What’s Next for Obsession?
At the current pace, industry estimates predict a weekend total between Rs. 6 crores and Rs. 8 crores. The IPL final on Sunday evening may slightly dent evening collections, but strong weekday occupancy is expected to compensate. With a heavy slate of new releases arriving from June 4, the film’s second week could face competition. Still, given the momentum, Obsession is likely to retain shows and enjoy a healthy overall run.
For now, fans will have to head to theatres if they want to see the supernatural thriller – no streaming shortcut is coming anytime soon.