| Hanuman Ansh | |
|---|---|
_film.jpg) Official theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi[1] |
| Produced by | Ragini S Namrata G Singh Anupriya A Nagar[2] Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi |
| Written by | Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi |
| Based on | Divine Detour: That Changed My Life by Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi[3] |
| Starring | Shobhinaw Satyaa Chandan Anand Purnima Tiwari Vihaan Shedge |
| Music by | Sadhu Sushil Tiwari |
| Cinematography | Vishal Bawa |
| Edited by | Shankh Rajadhyaksha |
| VFX Supervisor |
|
| Executive Producer |
|
Production company | SWAMbhu Media Network Holy Cow Home Productions |
| Distributed by | Cinépolis
(India) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes[6] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹2 crore[7][2] |
| Box office | ₹170 crore[8] |
Hanuman Ansh (transl. Fragment Of Hanuman) is a 2026 Indian Hindi-language biographical devotional drama film written, directed and produced by Dr Vishal Chaturvedi under his banner, Swambhu Media Network. The film is first instalment of the film trilogy based on his book Divine Detour: That Changed My Life, which chronicles the life of Neem Karoli Baba.[9] It stars Shobhinaw Satyaa and Chandan Anand in the lead roles.[10] The first film follows the early life of young boy Lakshmi Narayan, in pre-Independence India, who leaves home after the death of his mother in search of God, and his subsequent journey through North India, and transformation into Neem Karoli Baba.[9]
Vishal Bawa handled the cinematography, while Shankh Rajadhyaksha handled the editing. The sound was designed by Shishir Chousalkar and Mayur Mohanan, while the visual effects were handled by Pankaj Vashisht. The film was released theatrically on 7 August 2026 and emerged a surprise blockbuster.[11] It is the 9th highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026, and the "most profitable Indian film of all time" as it was made with a budget of ₹2 crore.[12]
Plot
Lakshminarayan Sharma, aged thirteen, leaves his hometown, Braj, following the death of his mother, the only woman he loved in his life, thinking that only divine love could bring them back together. It was not an ascetic pursuit for him, but rather a union with Rama through Hanuman. When Lakshman arrives at a Vaishnava temple in Rajkot, Gujarat, he is seen by the old Mahant (the priest) as a like-minded individual and decides to test him. But the boy remains quiet and unassuming; he declines comfort and compliments, and finally leaves silently, proving that religious organisations can also be a kind of bondage.[13] For many years Lakshman wanders around quietly practicing meditation sitting under trees, sleeping beside rivers and living on alms. He learns about spirituality from the songs of the birds and other elements of nature. Once, he spent so much time underwater that the villagers assumed that he had drowned until he resurfaced. Now twenty-five years old, Lakshman boards a passenger train bound for Britain in first class even without a ticket.[14] The colonial official tells him to get out of the train; but after Lakshman gets down from the train, the train mysteriously doesn't move again. The puzzled officials check the engine and the brakes and discover that everything is fine, but still the train doesn't move. The railway manager realises about Lakshman's forced exit, and feels that could've led the train to stop working. Everyone, including the Britisher who forced him down, apologises to Lakshman, and he agrees to come back to the train. He then forgives all those people and takes out four first-class tickets for himself from nowhere. He makes two demands, that is, one, no saint in India should ever be asked to leave a train for not having a ticket. And two, that a railway station be constructed at that place for the benefit of locals. That station is called Neem Karori Station in the present Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, and Lakshman is now called Neem Karoli Baba. There, he is recognised by one of the villagers from his own village in Braj, who then informs his father. Once his father is informed, he finds Lakshman and tells him to come home as his wife is waiting for him.
Cast
- Shobhinaw Satyaa as Lakshman Das / Neem Karoli Baba
- Chandan K Anand as Ram Nandan Bhosale
- Anil Rastogi as Mahant Ji
- Nikhil Dubey as Sudhi
- Bhagvandas Patel as Gopal
- Neha Paranjpe as Parvati
- Udaysinh Rajput as Banshidhar
- Purnima Tiwari as Ram Dulari
- Gautam Tripathi as Radheshyam
- Gulshan Pandey as Inspector Dharam Singh
- Rajiv Mishra as Daroga Nasir Khan
- Rishikesh Dubey as Poornanand Tiwari
- Vihaan Shedge as Maharaj Ji Teen
- Sadvik Sharma as Shubhankar
- Aleksei Danilov as Mr. Francis
- Santosh Dixit as Hariram
- Brijpal Singh as Shankar
- Yash Pandey as Hiren
- Aman Mehta as Champaklal
- Rajnish Srivastava as Jagdish
- Abhishek Mishra as Chand Chor (thief)
Production
The film is the first installment of a planned trilogy series inspired by director Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi's own spiritual memoir Divine Detour: That Changed My Life[15] In an interview, Chaturvedi said that his research began informally around 2009 and became more systematic in 2016–17, before expanding further during 2022–23 and took to various places associated with Baba, including Vrindavan, Akbarpur, Neeb Karori and Lucknow. The final screenplay primarily drew upon stories he collected and accounts documented in books and other sources.[16] It was officially launched with the theatrical poster being unveiled at Kainchi Dham,[15] which happens to be the main ashram of Neem Karoli Baba, sometime in the beginning of 2026.[17]
The film was made on a budget of ₹2 crore [7], though some reports place the production cost at ₹1.8 crore.[2]Principal photography took place in November 2025, mainly in Chitrakoot,[18][19] including the opening scene, which was shot in Punjabi Baba Ashram in Chitrakoot, as well as key sequences like the installation of a Hanuman idol and the construction of Baba's cave.[20] Some of the shooting also took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra.[21][22] In the first schedule itself, the original unnamed actor for the leading role fell ill.Shobhinaw Satyaa, who was the film's second assistant director at the time, auditioned for the role and was subsequently cast in the leading role of Neem Karoli Baba, replacing the original unnamed actor.[23]
Music
The soundtrack of Hanuman Ansh consists of multiple devotional tracks.[24] Key songs released include:
| Song | Singer(s) | Music by | Lyrics by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aavagaman | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Traditional (arranged by Sadhu S. Tiwari) |
| Saasa Haale | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Traditional |
| Zid Pe Aa Gayi Parvati | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari |
| Maine Tere Hi Bharose | Sunil Lodhi | Traditional (folk) | Traditional |
| Jai Hanuman | Shreyas Dharmadhikari | Rishi Pathak | Shreyas Dharmadhikari, Rishi Pathak |
| Ram Bhajan Ki Or | Nivedita Padmanabhan | Rishi Pathak | Rishi Pathak |
| Bajrang Baanka | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Traditional |
| Vaishnav Jan To | Rishi Pathak | Rishi Pathak | Traditional |
| Hey Kharari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari | Sadhu S. Tiwari |
| Om Namah Shivaya | Krishna Das | Krishna Das | Jeff Kagel |
| Shri Ram Jai Ram | Krishna Das | Krishna Das | Jeff Kagel |
| Hriday Mein Jinke SitaRam | Vishal Chaturvedi | Dhirendra Mulkalwar | Vishal Chaturvedi |
Release
Hanuman Ansh was scheduled to be released in theatres in India on 31 July 2026,[25] but it was postponed and released on 7 August 2026.[26][27] The film released in Hindi, with subtitles in the Braj and Bundeli languages.[28] Cinépolis India is the film's distributor in India.[29] The first-look posters and teaser were released through the film's official social media accounts. The official trailer was released on 18 July 2026 on the Times Music YouTube channel.[30]
The film is scheduled to be released overseas on 11 September 2026, with Hombale Films handling its international distribution.[31]
Reception
The film had a weak initial theatrical opening alongside Awarapan 2 and Batwara[32], as it opened in approximately 250 theatres and made Rs 90 lakh in first week. [33] However, subsequently, it gained audiences primarily through word of mouth and the face competition from Toxic , and after 3 weeks, the film was declared a "surprise box office success". [7][34] The film opened on approximately 250 screens, which reduced to around 40 screens in its second week. Gradually as he audience demand increased, distributor Cinepolis India progressively expanded its release to over 2,000 screens across India.[35] By 1 September, the film's domestic total had risen to ₹48.78 crore net and ₹57.54 crore gross.[36] On September 3, Hombale Films acquired the international distribution rights for the film, with its overseas release scheduled for 11 September 2026.[37]
Hanuman Ansh has become the highest theatrical return on investment of all time along with another devotional film, Jai Santoshi Maa (1975).[38] The film was made on a budget of approximately ₹2 crore, the film crossed ₹100 crore at the domestic box office, earning more than 50 times its production budget, making it the most profitable Indian film of all time.[12][39][40] The film earned over ₹48 crore in it's fifth weekend, became the highest earner, beating Dhurandhar: The Revenge.[41]
On September 5, Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami watched the film in Dehradun, and subsequently the film was made tax-free in the state.[42]
Sequel
The film was planned as a trilogy, and the first film ends with an indication that the story of Neem Karoli Baba will continue. In August 2026, Chaturvedi confirmed that work on the second instalment had already begun, which will cover the periods associated with Agra and Mathura, while the first instalment covered Neem Karoli Baba's early life, starting in Firozabad until his youth.[43]
See also
References
- ↑ "Film Inspired by Sant Sri Neem Karoli Baba, Hanuman Ansh Set for June Release". ANI News. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Pandey, Saurav (3 September 2026). "Who is Anupriya Nagar? 21-year-old economist-turned-film producer behind Hanuman Ansh which grossed Rs 72 crore on Rs 2 crore budget". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- ↑ Divine Detour: That Changed My Life – A Spiritual Memoir of Neem Karoli Baba, Hanuman Bhakti, Faith, Transformation, and Divine Grace. 10 June 2026. p. 103. ISBN 9349262231.
- ↑ "Cinépolis India and Panorama Studios announce strategic distribution partnership for Delhi & UP Circuit". ANI. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh heads overseas after successful India run, releases September 11". India Today. 3 September 2026. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "CBFC | Search Film". Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Made on a Rs 2 crore budget, this film earns Rs 12 crore in theatres, delivers over 500% profit: How Hanuman Ansh became a surprise box office success amid Toxic craze". The Economic Times. 29 August 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "The Sleeper Hit Nobody Saw Coming: 'Hanuman Ansh' Gets Global Release and Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter India. 3 September 2026. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
- ↑ "'Hanuman Ansh' True Story Explored, Film Starring Shobhinaw Satyaa Is Meant For Today's Youth". BollywoodShaadis. 18 July 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Success Decoded: How A Rs 10 Lakh Opening For Neem Karoli Baba Movie Turned Into A Box Office Extravaganza". TimesNow. 31 August 2026. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Entertainment Desk (6 September 2026). "From AD to lead: How Shobhinaw Satyaa landed role of Neem Karoli Baba in Hanuman Ansh". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Movie Review: बिना किसी बड़े ड्रामे के सीधे दिल को छूती है 'हनुमान अंश'". Hindi News18. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Review: दुख से अध्यात्म की राह... 'नीब करौरी बाबा' का अनकहा पहलू दिखाती है फिल्म, पढ़ें रिव्यू - hanuman ansh review vishal chaturvedi film based on neem karoli baba aka neeb karori baba". Jagran (in हिन्दी).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "नीम करोली बाबा पर आधारित 'हनुमान अंश' का पोस्टर हुआ रिलीज, 'डिवाइन डेटूर' से प्रेरित है फिल्म; जानें रिलीज डेट". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ↑ Keshri, Shweta (11 August 2026). "Hanuman Ansh director shares how he brought Neem Karoli Baba's story to screen". India Today. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- ↑ Priya, Radha (6 March 2026). "कृष्ण दास ने 'Hanuman Ansh' फिल्म की टीम को दिया आशीर्वाद". Bharat Express Hindi.
- ↑ "'हनुमान अंश' में बाबा नीम करौली के भक्त बने प्रयाग के गौतम". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). 1 September 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ Saxena, Deep (1 September 2026). "Hanuman Ansh director Dr Vishal Chaturvedi on success: Neem Karoli Baba's story, honest presentation, and word-of-mouth". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ Keshri, Shweta (11 August 2026). "Neem Karoli Baba film Hanuman Ansh: Vishal Chaturvedi on research, miracles and casting". India Today. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "प्रेमानंद महाराज की नीम करोली बाबा पर फिल्म को लेकर चेतावनी- एक्टर साधना करे, चरित्र संग खिलवाड़ नहीं". Navbharat Times (in हिन्दी).
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Review:A Cinematic Journey of Introspection, Faith & Peace". www.deccanchronicle.com. 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "43 दिनों के हनुमान चालीसा संकल्प से शुरू हुई थी 'हनुमान अंश', निर्देशक ने बताई दिलचस्प कहानी". NDTV India (in हिन्दी). 1 September 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Film on Neem Karoli Baba, Hanuman Ansh, set for June release: Here's what we know". The Economic Times. 27 February 2026.
- ↑ "'Hanuman Ansh' release postponed: Vishal Chaturvedi's film to hit theatres on August 7". The Times of India. 1 August 2026.
- ↑ "हनुमान अंश में दिखेगा श्री नीब करौरी बाबा का दिव्य जीवन, प्रेम और सेवा के संदेश के साथ 31 जुलाई को रिलीज होगी फिल्म". punjabkesari. 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "'Hanuman Ansh' trailer released". The Times of India. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "'हनुमान अंश' के टीजर में नीम करोली बाबा की कहानी, स्टीव जॉब्स और मार्क जुकरबर्ग भी कैंची धाम से जुड़े, क्यों!". Navbharat Times (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 12 July 2026.
- ↑ Information, Film (7 August 2026). "'HANUMAN ANSH' REVIEW | 7 August, 2026". Film Information.
- ↑ Mathur, Abhimanyu (4 September 2026). "Amid record-breaking run in India, Hanuman Ansh finds overseas distribution; KGF, Kantara makers enable global release". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ India Today Entertainment Desk (2 September 2026). "Director Vishal Chaturvedi announces Hanuman Ansh 2 amid massive box office success". India Today. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- ↑ Iyer, Kavita (3 September 2026). "'Hanuman Ansh': This Hindi film on Neem Karoli Baba has crossed Rs 50 crore at box office". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh box office collection: Made for Rs 2 cr, film earns 40.13 cr; surpasses first 3 weeks' total haul". The Indian Express. 31 August 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Cinépolis distribution scales Hanuman Ansh from 40 screens release to over 2,000 screens". Media Infoline. 2 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Biswas, Sneha (1 September 2026). "Hanuman Ansh box office collection day 26: Neem Karoli Baba movie unstoppable, earns 28X its budget, grosses ₹57.5 cr". Mint. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ indiantelevision.com Team (3 September 2026). "Hombale Films to distribute Hanuman Ansh overseas from September 11". Indian Television Dot Com. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh Looking To Become Highest Ever Theatrical Return On Investment - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com.
- ↑ Hindustan Times (31 August 2026). "India's most profitable film of 2026 has Rs2 crore budget, yet beat 'Dhurandhar 2'". Daily Sun. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
- ↑ Mathur, Abhimanyu (31 August 2026). "India's most profitable film of 2026 earned 2000% profit: How a ₹2 crore film beat Dhurandhar, Awarapan 2, Toxic, Peddi". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Unstoppable Hanuman Ansh now beats Dhurandhar 2 in 5th weekend at box office". India Today.
- ↑ "Hanuman Ansh gets tax-free status in Uttarakhand as Neem Karoli Baba film turns surprise hit". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 5 September 2026. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
- ↑ "BREAKING: Hanuman Ansh ends with the promise of a sequel; writer-director Vishal Chaturvedi begins work on the second part". Bollywood Hungama. 31 August 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
