📌 Key Points
- Global low-budget indie horror films like “Obsession” and “Backrooms” achieved significant box office success.
- Indian viewers and experts blame the Censor Board, star system, and audience preferences for hindering Bollywood’s innovation.
- Only regional films like “Laalo Krishna Sada Sahaayte” and “Kantara” have recently seen similar indie success in India.
- Censorship of violent or graphic content in indie films is seen as deterring viewers and impacting artistic integrity.
A global buzz surrounds low-budget indie horror hits like ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms.’ Yet, in India, a debate rages: can Bollywood ever replicate such success? Viewers and industry insiders point fingers at the Censor Board, the entrenched star system, and audience preferences for hindering true cinematic innovation.
Indie Horror Success: A Global Phenomenon
It is not often that the two top movies in the world on a given weekend are low-budget independent horror films from first-time filmmakers. But Obsession and Backrooms have brought focus back to small-budget films with fresh takes and voices. And even as these two micro-budget films beat a Star Wars title at the box office, the conversation in India is about whether such a thing can ever happen here. Would a small-budget film – of any genre – be able to go toe-to-toe with a Cop Universe film or beat a tentpole starring one of the Khans? The moviegoing audience in India is pessimistic, saying that a combination of factors prevents India’s Obsession + Backrooms moment.
The only time an Indian film did something similar in the recent past was when Gujarati film Laalo Krishna Sada Sahaayte minted over ₹ 100 crore on a ₹ 50-lakh budget. But its success was limited to Gujarat and Maharashtra, never becoming truly national. Kantara achieved something similar upon its 2022 release. But no Hindi film has earned 20-30x its budget in decades now.
Censor Board & Star System: Innovation Killers?
Another Redditor put the blame squarely on the moviegoers. “Look at the type of posts on this sub. “Which Khan is going to deliver the next blockbuster?” is legitimately one of the top posts. The Indian audience doesn’t want to support smaller films; they want spectacle and big dumb movies. They also seem to equate making money with ‘being a good film’.”
Actor Nadeesh Nambi recently pointed out how censorship has also dampened viewer interest, using Obsession as an example. He said that when CBFC cuts parts of films deemed too violent or graphic, it discourages viewers from going to theatres. His argument may hold true, as indie horror films are known to push the envelope with violence for impact. If these films are diluted by censorship, the audience may feel it’s not worth the trip to the theatres.
Audience Preferences: Spectacle Over Substance?
Industry insiders say the perception can change only when these films receive infrastructure support and become more accessible. Speaking to HT recently, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar said, “People are waking up to it. It’s going to find its rhythm. There has to be a distribution system that is targeted to the audience, because there is definitely an audience for these films. We have to make it accessible to that audience, and it will thrive.”
Ultimately, for Bollywood to foster its own ‘Obsession’ or ‘Backrooms’ moment, a fundamental shift is needed. Addressing censorship, diversifying content beyond star vehicles, and cultivating an audience open to bold, innovative storytelling are crucial steps for Indian cinema’s future.
