‘Hanuman Ansh’, unexpected box-office sensation

The low-budget Hindi devotional drama Hanuman Ansh, based on the life of revered saint Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji), has stunned the industry with its remarkable theatrical success nearly a month after its August 7, 2026 release.Made on a reported budget of around Rs 1.7–2 crore by doctor-turned-filmmaker Vishal Chaturvedi under Swambhu Media Network, the film opened quietly with just Rs 10 lakh on its first day and struggled in the initial weeks, shrinking to limited screens. 

Positive word-of-mouth, social media buzz, and strong audience response then fueled a dramatic turnaround. By late August and early September, it crossed Rs 40–50 crore net in India, with gross collections climbing past Rs 60 crore in some reports, expanding to thousands of shows nationwide and becoming one of 2026’s most profitable films relative to its cost. 

Directed and written by Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh stars Shobhinav Satyaa in the lead as Neem Karoli Baba, with support from Chandan Anand and others. The narrative follows the spiritual journey of a grieving boy who seeks the divine after his mother’s death and grows into the saint known for devotion to Lord Hanuman, selfless service, and the message of “Love all, serve all, feed all.” Shot in locations including Chitrakoot, it blends documented incidents from the saint’s life with an intimate, continuous storytelling style rather than a conventional biopic structure. Critics and viewers have praised its sincerity, music, and Satyaa’s performance, which many note closely resembles Maharaj-ji. 

Celebrities including Kangana Ranaut have endorsed it, calling the film more “satsang” than commercial cinema. The director has attributed the success to the saint’s divine story, honest presentation, and audience-driven promotion with minimal traditional marketing. Hanuman Ansh continues its strong run in theatres, highlighting the enduring appeal of faith-based storytelling and the power of organic audience support in Indian cinema. A sequel has also been confirmed.