It's rare for two low-budget independent horror films to top the global box office, but Obsession and Backrooms have done just that. Despite their success, the Indian film industry remains skeptical about the possibility of a similar phenomenon occurring in India. The audience and industry blame a combination of factors, including censorship, the star system, and a lack of support for small-scale films.
Obsession and Backrooms' success is a stark contrast to the Indian film industry, where small-budget films struggle to compete with big-budget productions. The two films, made on a budget of $10 million and $750K respectively, grossed $117 million and $150 million worldwide in their opening weekend. In India, a comparable outcome would be a film made on a budget of ₹15-20 crore grossing ₹125-150 crore in its opening weekend and ₹200 crore worldwide.
Viewers blame the audience and censors for the lack of support for small-scale films. A Reddit forum discussion blames the audience for not supporting indie and small-scale films, while another Redditor puts the blame on the moviegoers for prioritizing spectacle over substance. Actor Nadeesh Nambi points out how censorship has also dampened viewer interest, citing Obsession as an example.
Industry insiders say that perception drives the audience away from small-scale films, and that infrastructure support and accessibility are key to changing this perception. Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar believes that there is an audience for these films, but they need to be made accessible to them.
