Ram Gopal Varma calls Obsession ‘reset the button’ for theatrical cinema: “Every woman has a little bit of Nikki in her”

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has expressed his admiration for the independent thriller "Obsession," directed by Curry Barker. He praised not only the film's box office success but also the way it was made. On June 7, he shared a few posts on social media, explaining why he thinks the movie has resonated with so many people and how it has changed some old ideas about what makes a movie worth watching in a theater.

Sharing his thoughts on the film’s success, Varma 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."

He explained that "Obsession" has challenged the belief that only big name stars and expensive productions can make a movie successful.

 "Am OBSESSED with OBSESSION," he wrote, adding that the film has "reset that BUTTON" for an industry that has become used to big-budget movies.

Varma highlighted the film’s simple approach.

 It was made without major stars, big production design, exotic locations, or expensive special effects. He noted, "No BIG STARS No GRAND LOCATIONS No LAVISH PRODUCTION DESIGN No FOREIGN SHOOTS No TOP TECHNICIANS," pointing out that most of the story takes place in just a few locations.

He was especially impressed by Barker’s visual and editing style.

 He described it as "visually simplistic but very unique," praising how the use of extra space in some frames and the editing helped build psychological tension.

" He treats editing not just as a technical craft but as a psychological weapon blending rapid cuts with especially lengthy stays," Varma wrote.

 He specifically pointed to a long shot of Nikki’s face during the interval sequence, saying that such moments create "unbearable tension" by trapping viewers in the character’s emotional state.

Varma also praised the film’s sound design and the way it breaks traditional editing rules.

 According to him, Barker uses a style that feels chaotic and unpredictable. "The result is a film that feels unpredictable and alive, like the editing itself is also a part of the horror," he noted.

He compared Barker’s lighting style to that of acclaimed director David Fincher, suggesting that "Obsession" uses the technique even more effectively.

 He concluded by saying that beyond the film’s impressive box office success, its editing, sound design, and character development are worth paying close attention to.

In another post, Varma shared a clip from his 1999 thriller "Kaun," starring Urmila Matondkar.

 He wrote, "I remembered this shot of Urmila from KAUN after watching OBSESSION."

"Obsession," written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker, follows Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a lonely music store employee who is deeply in love with his childhood friend and co-worker Nikki, portrayed by Inde Navarrette.

 Despite its modest scale, the film has become a major success story, drawing a lot of attention from audiences around the world.

Varun Dhawan CONFIRMS he said no to Andhadhun; says, “Original cast was me and Kangana Ranaut”

 Andhadhun, starring Sriram Raghavan, is still recognized as one of the best thrillers in contemporary Hindi film. The 2018 movie, which starred Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte, was a critical and financial success. Actor Varun Dhawan has disclosed, years after the movie's premiere, that the cast was nearly entirely different.

In a recent visit on the YouTube channel of comedian and content producer Tanmay Bhat, Varun talked candidly about one of the greatest movies he missed out on in his career. Tanmay started the debate by inquiring as to whether Varun had turned down a big movie that he later regretted after witnessing its success.

In response to the query, Varun said that he was unable to see a certain movie. "A decent film, in my opinion. "I believe I turned down a good movie," he remarked.

Varun said, "Andhadhun," when Tanmay asked him to name the project. I was filming for another project. I was therefore unable to accomplish it. And Kangana and I were supposed to be part of the movie's original cast."

Discussions about the movie's early development have been rekindled by the disclosure. There had been rumors for years that Varun Dhawan and filmmaker Sriram Raghavan had first explored the idea of Andhadhun. In 2015, the two worked together on the highly regarded thriller Badlapur.

Varun was reportedly impressed by the concept of Andhadhun at the time. But he and Raghavan made the decision to put Badlapur first. Raghavan reportedly started looking for a new lead actor as the actor's calendar got more and more crowded with other obligations.

In the end, Ayushmann Khurrana was cast. The film's surprising narrative and Tabu's multi-layered performance were both much praised. Andhadhun was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 2018. The thriller is still regarded as one of Raghavan's best films and received several accolades.

In the meantime, Varun Dhawan is now starring in his father David Dhawan's film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. On June 5, the romantic comedy—which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde—opened in theaters. The movie had a weak box office opening despite creating pre-release excitement.

Salman Khan, Kaala Hiran and the uncomfortable question: Is it storytelling or clickbait cinema?

The controversy around Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy has gone beyond just being a movie announcement. Salman Khan's legal team has sent a notice to the makers of the film, which is said to be inspired by a real-life case involving the blackbuck poaching linked to the actor. Producer Amit Jani has also reportedly taken strong action and claims he got threatening messages after the issue became public.

At one level, this situation is a common Bollywood issue.

 It involves a controversial topic, a big star, a legal notice, and a social media frenzy. But deeper down, Kala Hiran raises a question that Indian cinema hasn't fully addressed: when real-life controversies become movies, where should filmmakers draw the line?

Cinema has always taken inspiration from real life.

 Real events such as court cases, crimes, political scandals, celebrity lives, and public controversies have been used by filmmakers around the world. Supporters of such films argue that public events are part of public memory, and artists have the right to interpret society. If a story has influenced national conversation, cinema should have the freedom to explore it.

However, the opposing view is also strong.

 When a film appears to be based on a living public figure, especially one whose legal and reputation are widely known, the risks go beyond creative issues. They become legal, ethical, and commercial. Is the film offering commentary or just capitalizing on controversy? Is it fictional enough? Does it imply guilt when courts have not found any? Does it use a celebrity's image to generate attention?

This brings up the importance of personality rights.

 In recent years, several Indian celebrities have taken legal action against unauthorized use of their names, images, likenesses, or personas, especially in the digital and AI era. The Delhi High Court has given temporary relief in many such cases, including recent ones involving actors seeking protection against misuse of identity and fake content.

While a film based on a real event isn't the same as deepfake or fake endorsements, the concern is similar.

 Who controls a public figure's identity, and how far can commercial use go without permission?

There isn't a simple answer.

 If every film involving a public figure needed permission, cinema would lose its ability to challenge the powerful. But if filmmakers could freely present living people's controversies as sensational entertainment, reputations might be harmed before any nuance is considered.

Fan culture makes this issue even more intense.

 The reported threats the producer received show how quickly a legal dispute can turn into a public safety concern. In India, stars aren't just actors; they are emotional anchors for millions. Any project seen as an attack on a beloved actor can trigger extreme reactions, especially in the age of viral outrage.

That's why filmmakers dealing with real-life controversies need more than just courage.

 They need legal clarity, ethical distance, and narrative responsibility. A title, poster, or promotional campaign designed only to provoke might bring quick attention, but it can also reduce a serious topic to clickbait cinema.

Bollywood must protect creative freedom.

 But this freedom shouldn't become a way to exploit someone's public issues. The strongest films based on real events don't just repeat headlines; they examine systems, psychology, and consequences. They add insight, not just noise.

The debate around Kala Hiran is not just about one movie or one superstar.

 It's about the future of movie-making in India that's driven by headlines. As personality rights expand, fan bases grow stronger, and legal notices become part of the publicity cycle, filmmakers must ask themselves a tough question before turning controversy into content. Are we telling a story, or are we using someone's public struggle as a marketing tool?

That distinction could decide where cinema ends and exploitation begins.

Cocktail 2 cast fees REVEALED: Shahid Kapoor’s pay cheque is more than Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna combined

Just a day ago, source shared the budget details of Cocktail 2, and the story spread widely in the industry. It has also become a hot topic online. Now, we are back with another exciting piece of news about the salaries of the main trio in the film.

As we reported earlier, the three main actors - Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna - together earned Rs. 35 crores for Cocktail 2.

 Among them, Shahid Kapoor was paid the most, with Rs. 21 crores, followed by Kriti Sanon with Rs. 8 crores and Rashmika Mandanna with Rs. 6 crores. A source told Bollywood Hungama, "This is the highest combined pay for the trio in their careers for a theatrical film. Of course, Shahid earned more for Bloody Daddy, Farzi and Farzi 2 - but those were all OTT projects."

Cocktail 2 was made on a budget of Rs. 150 crores, including the actors' salaries.

 The film is set for a theatrical release on June 19. The source added, "The total budget of Cocktail 2 is Rs. 150 crores, which includes Rs. 35 crores for actors and Rs. 20 crores for PnA. The remaining Rs. 95 crores were used for making the film and paying the other supporting cast."

The trailer and songs of Cocktail 2 have already created a lot of buzz, and the big theatrical release is getting more and more attention.

Ranveer Singh’s father was unhappy with FWICE’s handling of Don 3 dispute,” says CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon

The controversy around Ranveer Singh and the movie Don 3 might have ended, but people in the film industry are still talking about it. Now, Poonam Dhillon, the president of Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), has shared new information about her talks with Ranveer Singh's father, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, during the dispute.

Speaking to Variety India, Poonam talked about the recent decision by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to stop its non-cooperation stance against Ranveer.

 She said she felt relieved with the outcome and believed the action taken against Ranveer was unfair. "As an actor and as CINTAA president, I'm glad they've stopped the directive because he didn't deserve it," she said.

The problem started when Excel Entertainment claimed that Ranveer Singh had left the project Don 3 after agreeing to do it.

 They said this caused financial losses and messed up the film's long-term plans. After this complaint, FWICE issued a non-cooperation order against Ranveer after attempts to resolve things through talks failed.

This decision caused a lot of discussion in the industry.

 Eventually, talks between all parties and help from industry groups led to a resolution, and the non-cooperation directive was canceled.

During the conversation, Poonam said she stayed in constant contact with Ranveer's father throughout the whole situation.

 "I spoke with Ranveer's father a lot and we kept in touch on WhatsApp. He thanked me for the support," she said.

Poonam explained that Jagjit Singh Bhavnani made it clear there was no anger towards Farhan Akhtar or the Excel Entertainment team, despite the disagreement.

 She added, "He told me there was no bad feelings from his side towards Farhan Akhtar or the Excel team."

Poonam also mentioned that the family wasn't happy with how FWICE handled the situation.

 However, they had already started talking with the involved parties and were trying to resolve things on their own. "They were not happy with the way FWICE handled it. I asked him if CINTAA could help. But he said, 'We didn't involve you because we didn't want to bother you and we're already working on it,'" she said.

The veteran actor explained that neither Ranveer nor his father felt they needed to get help from CINTAA since the conversations were already happening behind the scenes.

Now that everything is settled and the directive has been removed, Poonam said she was happy that all sides could find an agreement.

Ahmed Khan credits trust and teamwork for powering Welcome to the Jungle: “True artists always find a way”

As Welcome to the Jungle prepares for its theatrical release on June 26, director Ahmed Khan has shared his experience of working on one of the biggest ensemble films in recent times.

 With a big cast and an ambitious scale, the film has already attracted a lot of attention through its promotional efforts and the recent release of its songs.

  

The makers have released two tracks from the film, ‘Ucha Lamba Kad Forever’ and the Welcome to the Jungle title track, which have been well received by audiences.

 As the release date approaches, Ahmed Khan spoke about the challenges and lessons he learned while working with such a large cast on this comedy entertainer.

Speaking about his biggest takeaway from the project, Ahmed said the experience strengthened his belief in the power of teamwork and trust.

“My biggest learning was that fear disappears when artists believe in a shared vision.

 Schedules, logistics, and challenges become less important because true artists always find a way to make the work happen,” he said.

The filmmaker also gave credit to the cast for helping the project reach completion.

 According to Ahmed, the film’s scale could only be achieved because of the dedication and cooperation of the actors involved.

“These weren’t just actors, they were friends united by mutual respect and a shared passion for the story.

 Many of them worked together for nearly 80% of the film, making the challenge even greater. But the truth is, it wasn’t me who carried the film forward, it was them. Their commitment, trust, and team spirit became the driving force that brought the film to completion,” he added.

Welcome to the Jungle is the latest addition to the popular Welcome franchise and promises a mix of comedy, action, music, and big-time entertainment.

 The film features a huge ensemble including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and several others.

Directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwallah, the film is presented by A.A. Nadiadwala, Cape of Good Films, and Star Studio18 in association with Seeta Films and Rakesh Dang.

 The comedy entertainer is set to hit cinemas worldwide on June 26, 2026.

:Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai opens well; Varun Dhawan starrer collects Rs. 8.50 crores on Day 1 Box Office

Varun Dhawan's film *Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai*, directed by David Dhawan, has started well at the box office in India. Early estimates suggest that the comedy action movie earned between Rs. 8.25 crore and Rs. 8.75 crore on Friday, which is better than what people expected.

The movie collected about Rs. 4.25 crore from major multiplex chains like PVRInox and Cinepolis, which makes up around 55% of the total earnings.

 The rest came from smaller chains and single screen theatres, which helped bring the share of big chains down from 60% to 55%.

The film looks promising for the rest of the weekend.

 If it makes 50% more on Saturday, it could be on its way to becoming a box office hit. Families are expected to come in large numbers over the next two days, and the real test will be on Monday.

*Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai* was made with controlled costs, and it needs to earn around Rs. 70 crore in India to break even.

 The strong start gives the film a good chance to reach that target in the coming days.