bollywood actor Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who are together in Dilwale (2015) and Bhediya (2022), are reuniting for a different kind of collaboration. A day earlier, the duo had teased their latest collaboration with director Amar Kaushik. At that time fans thought that Bhediya 2 was going to be announced. However, now the real reason for the reunion has come to light. The actor is lending his voice to the Hindi version of the Hollywood horror hit Obsession, which will premiere on October 30 on The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar. The film will be available in both English and Hindi, with the platform bringing its uncut version to Indian audiences for the first time.
Directed by Currie Barker, Obsession made a splash at the global box office and caught the attention of horror fans across the world, including India. The original theatrical version stars Michael Johnson and Andy Navarrete.
Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon have voiced the lead characters.
The Hindi version gives Indian audiences the opportunity to experience the film through the voices of two familiar Bollywood actors. While the original English version retains the performances of Michael Johnston and Andy Navarrete, Varun and Kriti will be lending their voices to the characters for the Hindi adaptation.
The actress revealed that she had never lent her voice to another actor’s performance before, making the experience both challenging and exciting. He also talked about being attracted to the film’s unusual story and the opportunity to explore characters different from those he had played before. “I absolutely loved the film and acting in Obsession. It’s such a gripping, quirky and engaging story. I’ve never explored a character like this before, which made the experience even more exciting and challenging. This is the first time I’ve lent my voice to another actor’s performance, and I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting film to make my debut in! I had so much fun lending my voice for it and I can’t wait for audiences to experience the film in Hindi,” said Kriti.
Alok Jain, head – Hindi and English entertainment business (streaming, TV and studios), JioStar, said the Hindi version was part of the platform’s effort to make international content accessible to more audiences.
He further added, “Great stories have the power to connect with audiences, beyond the languages in which they are told or the geographical region they belong to. At JioHotstar, we strongly believe in this power of storytelling and are committed to giving impactful content the right platform and scale. We are very excited to bring the uncut version of Obsession to our Hindi speaking audience through The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar. This globally acclaimed film Launching it in Hindi as well as in English is another step in our journey to ensure that languages do not limit access to great stories, helping it reach audiences across the country.
Why were Varun and Kriti chosen for the Hindi adaptation?
Speaking about the casting, Alok said that both the actors are a natural fit for the project due to their versatility and popularity among different age groups. His experience with the horror genre also played a role in the decision to bring him on board.
He added, “Kriti and Varun bring a strong cross-generational appeal to the table. They have established themselves as versatile actors across genres. Their familiarity with the horror genre, coupled with their ability to bring the right emotion and nuance to their characters, makes them a great fit for the Hindi version. We are excited to bring Obsession to Hindi-speaking audiences in the voices they know and connect with, only on JioHotstar.”
What is passion about?
Bear Belly (Michael Johnston) is a shy music store employee who has feelings for his co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrete). While Nikki is confident and friendly, Bear has difficulty expressing how he feels. Her chance encounter with a mysterious toy named One Wish Willow at a crystal shop changes everything.
The store cashier warns Bear that people who have purchased the toy are not happy with the results. He chooses to ignore the warning, breaking Willow and wanting Nikki to love him more than anything in the world.
His wish appears to be fulfilled almost immediately. Nikki falls in love with him, pays attention to him and soon becomes a constant presence in his life. But Bear’s happiness does not last long. His affection continues to deepen, and the relationship he always wanted soon turns fraught. As Nikki’s behavior becomes violent and unpredictable, Bear realizes he may have made a terrible mistake. Now, she must find a way to reverse her wish before the situation gets even worse.
Junoon was successful at the box office
Obsession’s box office performance is particularly impressive, considering it cost very little to make. Made on a reported budget of $750,000 (approx.) ₹7.5 crore), the film grossed over $522 million worldwide, including $263 million from the domestic market and $253 million from international territories. Its returns have made it one of the most profitable films of all time and put director Curry Barker firmly on Hollywood’s radar.