RGV's Obsession theory says every woman has Nikki within her, internet doesn't buy
Ram Gopal Varma's posts praising Obsession and explaining Nikki's appeal drew sharp criticism on X. The response turned his interpretation of the film's success into a broader debate about the portrayal of women.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has sparked an online backlash over his latest comments on the Hollywood horror film Obsession. The director, who has been openly praising the film in recent days, shared a theory about its global success that many social media users found controversial.
Many argued that his comments generalised women and reduced the reasons behind the film's success to a single interpretation of the character.
In a post on X, 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 (sic)."
The post did not go down well with many users. One user wrote, "Maybe Obsession succeeded not because people liked Nikki, but because the character forced audiences to confront traits they normally avoid discussing (sic)." Another commented, "Nikki wasn't crazy. She was just a woman who stopped pretending she didn't feel things. Society called it obsession."
RGV compares Obsession with Urmila Mantondkar
In another post, Varma compared a viral scene from Obsession to Urmila Matondkar's acclaimed performance in the 1999 psychological thriller Kaun. The scene, which has been widely shared on social media, features actor Inde Navarrette undergoing an abrupt shift in mood during a dinner date, turning an ordinary interaction into an unsettling moment.
Varma also devoted a significant part of his post to praising Barker's craft. He highlighted the film's minimalist approach, noting that much of Obsession unfolds across only a few confined locations, including a modest house, a car and a small store. He was particularly impressed by the editing, describing it as one of the film's standout strengths.
According to Varma, the blend of rapid cuts and lingering shots creates unease and suspense, turning the editing into a storytelling device rather than merely a technical tool. He also pointed to an extended close-up on Nikki's face as an example of how the film builds tension through its visual language.
Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarrette as Nikki. The supernatural horror film follows a lonely man whose wish for the affection of his longtime crush sets off a chain of unsettling events. The film was released in India on May 29.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has sparked an online backlash over his latest comments on the Hollywood horror film Obsession. The director, who has been openly praising the film in recent days, shared a theory about its global success that many social media users found controversial.
Many argued that his comments generalised women and reduced the reasons behind the film's success to a single interpretation of the character.
In a post on X, 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 (sic)."
The post did not go down well with many users. One user wrote, "Maybe Obsession succeeded not because people liked Nikki, but because the character forced audiences to confront traits they normally avoid discussing (sic)." Another commented, "Nikki wasn't crazy. She was just a woman who stopped pretending she didn't feel things. Society called it obsession."
RGV compares Obsession with Urmila Mantondkar
In another post, Varma compared a viral scene from Obsession to Urmila Matondkar's acclaimed performance in the 1999 psychological thriller Kaun. The scene, which has been widely shared on social media, features actor Inde Navarrette undergoing an abrupt shift in mood during a dinner date, turning an ordinary interaction into an unsettling moment.
Varma also devoted a significant part of his post to praising Barker's craft. He highlighted the film's minimalist approach, noting that much of Obsession unfolds across only a few confined locations, including a modest house, a car and a small store. He was particularly impressed by the editing, describing it as one of the film's standout strengths.
According to Varma, the blend of rapid cuts and lingering shots creates unease and suspense, turning the editing into a storytelling device rather than merely a technical tool. He also pointed to an extended close-up on Nikki's face as an example of how the film builds tension through its visual language.
Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarrette as Nikki. The supernatural horror film follows a lonely man whose wish for the affection of his longtime crush sets off a chain of unsettling events. The film was released in India on May 29.
