JioHotstar is giving Hollywood horror an A-list Hindi voice. Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon have dubbed the lead roles in the Hindi version of Obsession, a supernatural thriller directed by Curry Barker. The film streams on 30 October 2026 at 7 pm in English and Hindi on JioHotstar’s The Peacock Hub.
Who voices whom
Varun Dhawan voices Bear, a role originally performed by Michael Johnston. Kriti Sanon voices Nikki, originally performed by Inde Navarrette. The platform has also released a short promotional video, directed by Amar Kaushik, that gives audiences a first sample of the two voice performances.
The pairing is familiar, but the format is new. Varun and Kriti have worked together in Dilwale and Bhediya. Here, their chemistry comes through only in sound, as they adapt an English-language performance into Hindi.
Voice work is its own performance
Dubbing is not simply translating lines. The actor has to preserve the original performance’s emotion, timing and personality in another language. For Varun and Kriti, that means matching characters they did not create on screen, with only their voices to carry the adaptation.
Amar Kaushik, known for Stree, Bhediya and Stree 2, directing the promo is a clever touch: a horror-comedy filmmaker introduces a horror story, and two actors he has worked with before.
Why this matters for Hindi viewers
Hindi versions of English films often use professional voice artists. Putting two mainstream Bollywood stars in the booth changes the pitch: the Hindi dub becomes an event of its own, and the language barrier drops for viewers who prefer Hindi audio.
The release lands just before Halloween, when supernatural thrillers find a ready audience. JioHotstar says the original uncut version will be available in both languages.
The story, in short
- Bear likes his colleague Nikki.
- He uses a mysterious object called the One Wish Willow to force her love.
- The wish turns into a frightening, unhealthy obsession.
That setup gives the film more than jump scares: it explores consent, emotional boundaries and the consequences of trying to control someone’s feelings.
Not a Bhediya 2 signal
Because Amar Kaushik directed the promo, fans may read it as a hint about Bhediya 2 with Varun and Kriti. The announcement is only about Obsession’s Hindi version, not an official sequel announcement.
For horror fans, the watchlist move is simple: set a reminder for 7 pm on 30 October, pick English or Hindi audio, and judge the star dub for yourself.
The success of this experiment will be measured after the premiere. What is already clear is that local-language dubs are not just a utility feature for JioHotstar; they are being positioned as a promotional moment around familiar faces and voices.
Source: Cinema Talk