The recently released Hollywood film Obsession is doing very well at the Indian box office, surprising trade and industry. As per trade estimates, the film has collected around Rs. 1.30 crores on the day of its full-fledged release, that is, Friday, May 29. The collections would see a huge rise on Saturday as the word has now spread. Moreover, looking at the demand, the exhibitors have increased shows considerably.
Interestingly, the film collected Rs. 46 lakhs in paid previews. The number was an eye-opener for the exhibitors as the collections were achieved though the film had just one show in all cinemas. Accordingly, the showcasing was increased.
A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Universal Pictures asked for just 2 shows in each property. They also didn’t go all out with the showcasing. Once the Thursday numbers were in front of the exhibitors, they themselves began increasing the shows and also introduced the film to properties where the film didn’t get a release on Thursday or Friday.”
For instance, there was no show of Obsession in PVR Le Reve and MovieTime Suburbia cinemas located in Bandra, Mumbai. These cinemas will now play one and two shows of the film respectively from Saturday. Many cinemas have now allocated between 5 and 8 shows. A source told us, “Demand is coming in shows from Ahmedabad and other cities and the studio is working towards increasing the screen count.”
At this rate, Obsession is expected to have a weekend in the range of Rs. 6 crores and Rs. 8 crores. The IPL final will affect the collections from Sunday evening, but the film will make up for it in the weekdays. There’s a heavy flow of releases from Thursday, June 4. Hence, the second week’s earnings will be dented. However, looking at the trend, Obsession will continue to get shows and will ultimately have a healthy lifetime.
Digital release on June 2?
Meanwhile, there’s been anger on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), after it came to light that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) have made cuts in two crucial scenes. On the other hand, word has spread on the internet that the film will be available on OTT on June 2 and hence, one should skip Obsession’s theatrical release.
Bollywood Hungama has found out from confirmed sources that this is an unfounded rumour. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Obsession is not releasing on streaming platforms anywhere in the world on June 2. It was released in North America on May 15 and there’s no way it’ll be released so soon digitally, in less than 21 days, especially when it’s doing so well.”
As per reports, Obsession has been made on a modest budget of around $1 million and has already grossed approximately $100.6 million worldwide. According to an article in Forbes, Blumhouse films have reportedly followed a flexible theatrical window model in the past, wherein films opening below the $50 million mark could arrive on PVOD after a very short 17-day window, while films crossing the $50 million benchmark would get a longer window of at least 31 days. Since Obsession has comfortably crossed the $50 million mark, it is now expected to enjoy a longer exclusive theatrical run.
It is also important to note that NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Donna Langley recently announced at CinemaCon that their films will get a minimum theatrical window of 31 days, effective immediately. From 2027, this window is expected to increase further to 45 days.
However, there is an exception to this rule. Universal’s indie vertical, Focus Features, may continue with the shorter 17-day PVOD window for some of its smaller films. This is significant because Obsession has been released by Focus Features in the US. But now that the film is no longer behaving like a small indie release and has emerged as a worldwide rage, sources insist that Focus is unlikely to rush it to digital platforms on June 2. At best, the film could arrive digitally around June 16, if the 31-day window is followed, or around June 30, if the makers decide to hold it back further due to its exceptional theatrical performance.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Contrary to speculation, NO Digital release of Obsession on June 2; exhibitors COMPELLED to increase shows of supernatural film shows due to TREMENDOUS demand appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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