Hanuman Ansh has gone from a modestly released spiritual drama to one of the most unexpected success stories at the Indian box office this year. The Vishal Chaturvedi film, inspired by the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, has crossed the ₹150 crore mark in India despite opening with relatively small daily collections. Now veteran actor Hema Malini has joined the growing list of public figures acknowledging the film’s remarkable run.
Speaking to the media in Mathura on Wednesday, Hema said she has not watched Hanuman Ansh yet but is happy that a film connected to Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba has resonated so strongly with audiences. She also praised the woman associated with the film’s making, describing her as an ordinary and simple person who did not even know how films were made. For Hema, the film’s success carries a spiritual significance.
“There is a temple of Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba here. I always visit here, and today I am very happy that a film has been made about them and it has become a superhit. Ye Hanuman Ji ka hi kripa hai (This is Hanuman Ji’s blessing). The girl who made this film is an ordinary, simple girl. She doesn’t even know how films are made. But because of her contribution, this film has turned out so well. Everyone is eager to watch it. I also want to watch it.”
Hanuman Ansh Turns Into an Unexpected Hit
The journey of Hanuman Ansh has been anything but conventional. Released in India on August 4, the film initially recorded collections in the lakhs each day, giving little indication of the extraordinary run that would follow. Instead of fading away after its opening days, the film gradually attracted more attention and began recording a sharp increase in collections.
It has now crossed ₹150 crore in India, turning a film made on a modest budget into a major commercial success. The movie is also preparing to expand its reach beyond India, with an international release scheduled for September 11.
Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh stars Shobhinaw Satyaa in the lead role. The story is based on Neem Karoli Baba, popularly known among devotees as Maharaj Ji, and explores the teachings and spiritual philosophy associated with him.
The film’s central portrayal presents Baba as a saint who remains detached from power, politics, ownership and praise. His simple message becomes the spiritual core of the story, allowing the film to focus more heavily on faith and human values than conventional commercial storytelling.
Hema Malini Wants to Watch the Film
Hema’s comments are notable because she openly admitted that she is yet to see Hanuman Ansh. Her praise is instead rooted in the film’s connection with Neem Karoli Baba and Hanuman Ji, as well as the response it has received from audiences.
The actor has a long association with Mathura and spoke about regularly visiting a temple dedicated to Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba there. Seeing a film about them achieve such unexpected success clearly made the occasion meaningful for her.
Her remarks also highlight one of the unusual aspects of Hanuman Ansh: the movie has built considerable momentum without beginning as a traditional big-budget Bollywood release. Its rise has been driven by word of mouth and growing public interest rather than the conventional opening-weekend trajectory associated with major Hindi films.
That momentum has also attracted support from several well-known personalities. Varun Dhawan recently revealed that he watched the film with his mother and strongly encouraged his followers to experience it in theatres.
Varun Dhawan and Other Celebrities Back Hanuman Ansh
Varun Dhawan has been among the most vocal Bollywood supporters of Hanuman Ansh. After watching the film with his mother, the actor shared his reaction on Instagram and urged audiences to take their parents and friends to theatres.
“Please go to the theatre and watch Hanuman Ansh. I just went with my mom, and it was an amazing experience. Take your parents, go with your friends. I highly recommend this film to everyone. No one had told me to make this video, neither had anyone called me; I just wanted to do this. I have had a connection with Lord Hanuman since childhood, but this is something else. This is a purely made film. I will not even call it a film; it’s something divine. You go and experience it.”
Preity Zinta has also publicly encouraged people to watch the movie, while filmmaker Aditya Dhar and director Madhur Bhandarkar have praised its success. Bhandarkar has previously described the film’s performance as an important case study for the Indian film industry.
The growing celebrity support has come as the film continues to find a larger audience. For a movie that initially appeared to be heading toward a relatively quiet theatrical run, the turnaround has been striking.
Why Hanuman Ansh’s Box Office Story Matters
The success of Hanuman Ansh stands out because of the gap between its initial performance and where it is now. Films with modest openings do not always get enough time to build momentum, especially when larger releases dominate screens and attention. This movie, however, appears to have benefited from audiences gradually discovering it and encouraging others to experience it.
Its subject matter may also be a major part of that appeal. Rather than relying on a conventional star-driven narrative, Hanuman Ansh centres on the teachings and legacy of a spiritual figure whose devotees believe he was an incarnation of Lord Hanuman.
The film’s success is therefore becoming more than a box-office statistic. It has prompted conversations about audience interest in spiritually themed cinema and the ability of word of mouth to transform the commercial prospects of a small-scale release.
With the ₹150 crore milestone already behind it and an international release arriving on September 11, Hanuman Ansh has another opportunity to expand its audience. Hema Malini may still be waiting to watch the film herself, but her reaction reflects just how far the movie has travelled from its quiet opening to becoming one of the year’s most surprising Hindi cinema success stories.
SEO Q&A
What is Hanuman Ansh about?
Hanuman Ansh is a spiritual drama based on the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, popularly known as Maharaj Ji. The film is written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi and stars Shobhinaw Satyaa in the lead role. Its story focuses on Baba’s spiritual message and his detachment from power, politics, ownership and praise. Devotees believe Neem Karoli Baba was an incarnation of Lord Hanuman.
How much has Hanuman Ansh earned?
Hanuman Ansh has crossed the ₹150 crore mark in India, according to the supplied source. The film initially recorded collections in the lakhs each day after its August 4 release. Its business later increased significantly as more audiences discovered the movie. It has consequently become an unexpected box-office success.
What did Hema Malini say about Hanuman Ansh?
Hema Malini said she was happy that a film about Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba had become a superhit. She described the success as Hanuman Ji’s blessing and praised the simple woman involved in making the film. Hema also said that she had not watched the movie yet but wanted to see it. Her comments came while speaking to the media in Mathura.
Has Hema Malini watched Hanuman Ansh?
No, Hema Malini said that she is yet to watch Hanuman Ansh. She nevertheless expressed happiness over the film’s success and its connection to Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba. She also said that she wants to watch the film. Her comments were made in Mathura on Wednesday.
Which celebrities have praised Hanuman Ansh?
Varun Dhawan has strongly supported Hanuman Ansh after watching it with his mother. Preity Zinta, Aditya Dhar and Madhur Bhandarkar have also publicly praised the film. Varun encouraged audiences to watch it in theatres and described his experience as something divine. The growing celebrity support has added visibility to the film’s unusual box-office journey.
When will Hanuman Ansh release internationally?
Hanuman Ansh is scheduled to receive an international release on September 11. The film has already crossed ₹150 crore in India after starting with relatively modest daily collections. Its overseas release will give the movie an opportunity to reach audiences beyond its domestic market. The international performance could add another chapter to its unexpected success story.
