The director behind the year’s biggest horror surprise, Curry Barker, has an interesting social media habit that has caught the attention of Indian fans. The 26-year-old filmmaker, whose psychological horror film Obsession became a massive global hit, follows a very select group of people on Instagram. Among them are only three Indian personalities. The list includes Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan, emerging actor Riccha Sinha, and independent filmmaker Kushaal Chawla. This surprising connection between the Hollywood director and the Indian entertainment industry has sparked conversations online. Barker’s selective following list shows a fascinating bridge between global cinema and Indian talent.
Why Curry Barker Follows Kartik Aaryan on Instagram
Kartik Aaryan’s name on Barker’s following list makes a lot of sense. The Bollywood actor was one of the first Indian celebrities to publicly support Obsession. After watching the film, Kartik shared his excitement on social media. He called it one of the best horror films he had seen in a long time and strongly recommended it to his followers. His post brought extra attention to the film among Indian audiences. Given this public support, it is natural for Barker to follow the actor back. The connection shows how social media can create links between artists from different film industries. Kartik’s endorsement helped Obsession reach a wider audience in India. The film released in Indian theaters on May 29, following its US debut on May 15.
Who Is Riccha Sinha? The Lucknow-Born Actor on Curry Barker’s List
Riccha Sinha is a Lucknow-born actor who is just starting her career in the entertainment industry. She recently landed a lead role in an international psychological thriller. She plays a character named Anya, a young woman trying to build a new life in a different country. The story explores her struggles as she gets caught in emotionally intense and unsettling situations. The project was partially shot at the famous Pinewood Studios in London. Talking about this unexpected opportunity, Sinha shared her surprise at getting such a big project early in her career.
“I never thought my career would begin with an international film. My focus was always on Bollywood, and it remains so. This came out of nowhere; it was just a stroke of luck.”
Sinha explained that the film is a twisted love story with deep emotional layers. Before her international project, she appeared in the Malayalam film Ramachandra Boss & Co alongside South Indian star Nivin Pauly. She also gained attention through the viral song Habibi Drip from the same film. Her growing profile and international work likely caught Barker’s attention.
Kushaal Chawla: The Indie Filmmaker Connected to Curry Barker
The third Indian name on Barker’s Instagram following list is independent filmmaker Kushaal Chawla. He has been building a strong reputation in the indie film circuit. Chawla has earned recognition at international film festivals and created a distinct space for himself in India’s evolving cinema landscape. His film Another Time premiered at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles. The project went on to collect more than 15 international awards. Among its achievements are winning Best Director at the New York International Film Awards and Best Film at the Oniros Film Awards in Italy. Chawla has also worked on Indian television productions such as TED Talks India and Lip Sync Battle India. His work in independent cinema aligns with Barker’s own journey from YouTube short films to Hollywood success.
The Global Success of Obsession
Obsession marks the feature directorial debut of Curry Barker. The film was made on a modest budget of around $750,000 to $1 million. Despite the small budget, it has crossed the $100 million mark worldwide. The supernatural psychological thriller follows Bear, a music store employee played by Michael Johnston. Bear buys a mysterious object called the “One Wish Willow” to make his childhood friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, fall in love with him. The wish comes true in a disturbing way. Nikki’s feelings turn into an obsessive and terrifying force. Her behavior becomes unstable and violent as the story progresses. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its theatrical release. It received strong critical praise for its twisted take on romance and horror.
Bollywood Support for Obsession
Kartik Aaryan was not the only Bollywood star to praise Obsession. Actor Ananya Panday also shared her reaction on Instagram Stories. She wrote that she could not get the film out of her head and said she was “obsessed” with it. The support from these Bollywood stars helped the film gain more visibility in India. The film collected ₹5.40 crore gross at the Indian box office. It was released across 2,010 shows nationwide. The success in India shows the growing appetite for international horror films among Indian audiences.
Curry Barker’s Rise to Fame
Curry Barker’s journey to success is unusual. Before making Obsession, he was a YouTuber creating short comedy skits and horror films. He co-created the YouTube channel “that’s a bad idea” with his friend Cooper Tomlinson. The channel has over 1.2 million subscribers and 605 million views. Barker directed several short films before his feature debut. His short film Milk & Serial, made on an $800 budget, went viral after he released it on YouTube. This led to a representation deal with United Talent Agency. Barker is now one of Hollywood’s most talked-about young directors. His next projects include Anything But Ghosts, a horror film he wrote and directed, and a reboot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24 Films.
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What Makes Curry Barker’s Instagram Following Interesting
Curry Barker’s Instagram following list shows his diverse interests. Following only three Indians among his entire following list suggests these connections are meaningful. Each of the three names represents a different part of the Indian entertainment industry. Kartik Aaryan represents mainstream Bollywood. Riccha Sinha represents emerging international talent. Kushaal Chawla represents independent cinema. The connection highlights how global filmmakers are paying attention to Indian talent. Barker’s selective following also shows how social media can create unexpected links between artists from different parts of the world.
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