| Hanuman Ansh | |
|---|---|
_film.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vishal Chaturvedi[1] |
| Produced by | Ragini S Namrata G. Singh Anupriya A Nagar[2] Dr Vishal Chaturvedi |
| Written by | Vishal Chaturvedi |
| Based on | Divine Detour: That Changed My Life by Vishal Chaturvedi[3] |
| Starring | Shobhit Srivastava (aka Shobhinaw Satyaa) Chandan Anand Purnima Tiwari Vihaan Shedge |
| Music by | Sadhu Sushil Tiwari |
| Cinematography | Vishal Bawa |
| Edited by | Shankh Rajadhyaksha |
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 | ₹188.42 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 the 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 Shobhit Srivastava and Chandan Anand in the lead roles while Anil Rastogi, Sugandha Malhotra, Bhagvandas Patel, Neha Paranjpe, Uday sinh Rajput, Purnima Tiwari and Gautam Tripathi in supporting 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 as a surprise blockbuster.[11] It is the "most profitable Indian film of all time", as it was made with a budget of ₹2 crore.[12]
It is the 7th highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026.
Plot[edit | edit source]
Lakshminarayan Sharma, aged thirteen, leaves his hometown of Akbarpur in the Braj region after the death of his mother, the only woman he loved, believing that only divine love can reunite them. Rather than pursuing asceticism, he seeks union with Rama through Hanuman. At a Vaishnava temple in Rajkot, Gujarat, the old Mahant recognises his spiritual inclination and tests him. Lakshman remains quiet and unassuming, rejecting comfort and praise before leaving, suggesting that religious institutions can themselves become forms of bondage. [13]
For years, Lakshman wanders, meditating beneath trees, sleeping beside rivers, and living on alms. He learns about spirituality through nature and, on one occasion, remains underwater so long that villagers believe he has drowned before he resurfaces. At twenty-five, he boards a passenger train to Britain in first class without a ticket. [14] A colonial official orders him off the train, but after Lakshman leaves, it mysteriously refuses to move despite officials finding no mechanical fault. The railway manager concludes that Lakshman's removal may be responsible. Everyone, including the Britisher, apologises, and Lakshman agrees to return, forgiving them and producing four first-class tickets seemingly from nowhere.
He demands that no saint in India be removed from a train for lacking a ticket and that a railway station be built for local residents. The station, later known as Neem Karori Station in present-day Farrukhabad district, becomes associated with him, and Lakshman is thereafter called Neem Karoli Baba. A villager recognises him as a former resident of Braj and informs his father, who finds him and asks him to return home, saying that his wife is waiting. Reluctantly following his father's advice to fulfil his responsibilities, like Lord Ram, Lakshman returns home and ensures his wife has enough food while he is away. He later returns to Neebkarori but leaves after a dispute with the landowner of the temple site, travelling to Kainchi mountain near Nainital. There, he helps a frightened man who has lost his way at night; when the man recites the Hanuman Chalisa, Maharaj ji appears and guides him safely. The film ends by hinting at a sequel.
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Shobhinaw Satyaa as Lakshman Das / Neem Karoli Baba
- Chandan K Anand as Ram Nandan Bhosale
- Anil Rastogi as Mahant Ji
- Sugandha Malhotra as Sudhi
- Bhagvandas Patel as Gopal
- Neha Paranjpe as Parvati
- Udaysinh Rajput as Banshidhar
- Purnima Tiwari as Ram Beti
- 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[edit | edit source]
The film is the first instalment 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, "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., 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] rincipal photography took place in November 2025, mainly in [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot, "'हनुमान अंश' में बाबा नीम करौली के भक्त बने प्रयाग के गौतम". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). 1 September 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026. </ref>[18] 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.[19] Some of the shooting also took place in Mumbai, [[Maharashtra.[20][21] 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. [22]
Music[edit | edit source]
The soundtrack of Hanuman Ansh consists of multiple devotional tracks. [23] 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 Sita Ram | Vishal Chaturvedi | Dhirendra Mulkalwar | Vishal Chaturvedi |
Release[edit | edit source]
Hanuman Ansh was scheduled to be released in theatres in India on 31 July 2026,[24] but it was postponed and released on 7 August 2026. [25][26] The film was released in Hindi, with subtitles in the Braj and Bundeli languages. [27] Cinépolis India is the film's distributor in India. [28] 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. [29]
The film was released in overseas markets on 11 September 2026, with Hombale Films handling its international distribution. [30]
Reception[edit | edit source]
The film had a weak initial theatrical opening alongside Awarapan 2 and Batwara 1947.[31], as it opened in approximately 250 theatres and made Rs 90 lakh in the first week. [32] 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][33] The film opened on approximately 250 screens, which reduced to around 40 screens in its second week. Gradually as the audience demand increased, distributor Cinepolis India progressively expanded its release to over 2,000 screens across India. [34] By 1 September, the film's domestic total had risen to ₹48.78 crore net and ₹57.54 crore gross. [35] On September 3, Hombale Films acquired the international distribution rights for the film, with its overseas release scheduled for 11 September 2026. [36]
Hanuman Ansh has become the highest theatrical return on investment of all time, along with another devotional film, "Jai Santoshi Maa" (1975).[37] 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][38][39] The film earned over ₹48 crore in its fifth weekend and became the highest earner, beating Dhurandhar: The Revenge.[40]
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. [41]
Sequel[edit | edit source]
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 installment had already begun, which will cover the periods associated with Agra and Mathura, while the first installment covered Neem Karoli Baba's early life, starting in Firozabad until his youth. [42]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "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 an Rs 2 crore budget, this film earns Rs 12 crore in theatres and delivers over 500% profit: How Hanuman Ansh became a surprise box office success amid the 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 the 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).
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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 a 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 released 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 an Rs2 crore budget, yet beats '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.
