Hanuman Ansh has been attracting attention for its unusual journey at the box office, but the film is now getting noticed for another reason. Kangana Ranaut has watched the Vishal Chaturvedi-directed devotional drama and given it a strong endorsement, describing the experience as something closer to a spiritual gathering than a conventional movie. Her reaction comes as the film continues its surprising theatrical run after starting with little of the hype normally associated with a successful release.
Kangana shared her thoughts on Wednesday, praising the way the film presents stories connected to Neem Karoli Baba. Rather than focusing on the film as a traditional biographical drama, she highlighted the personal experiences woven into its storytelling. Her recommendation adds another notable voice to the growing appreciation around a movie that was made on a very modest budget.
Kangana Ranaut says Hanuman Ansh is ‘a satsang’
Kangana did not describe Hanuman Ansh like a conventional film review. In her post, she presented it as a spiritual experience and specifically praised its structure, which brings together stories from people who had first-hand experiences with Neem Karoli Baba.
She wrote, “Hanuman Ansh is not a movie, it’s a satsang… beautifully woven short stories of people who had first-hand experience of Neem Karori Baba. Skip your therapy and go watch it.”
The comment gives a clear indication of what connected with Kangana. Her emphasis was not on performances, action, scale or commercial entertainment, but on the personal and spiritual accounts that form the heart of the film. For a project built around the life and teachings of a revered spiritual figure, that distinction is particularly relevant because its appeal depends heavily on how audiences respond to its devotional storytelling.
Kangana’s endorsement arrives at a particularly interesting moment for the movie. Hanuman Ansh has already moved far beyond the expectations created by its opening day, when it earned only around ₹10 lakh. Its subsequent growth has turned it into a sleeper success and brought considerably more attention to a film that initially had a very limited theatrical presence.
Madhur Bhandarkar also praises the film
Kangana is not the first filmmaker or industry personality to publicly respond to Hanuman Ansh. National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar recently praised the movie after watching it in a theatre, highlighting both Vishal Chaturvedi’s direction and Shobhinav Satyaa’s portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba.
Bhandarkar wrote, “Witnessed pure cinematic magic watching #HanumanAnsh in the theatre the audience was completely glued to the screen! @filmervishal direction is wonderfully honest & tender, while actor Shobhinav Satya’s portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba is purely natural and flawless.”
He also pointed to the film’s modest scale and non-star cast as reasons why its success deserves attention from the wider Indian film industry. His reaction essentially places Hanuman Ansh in a different conversation from conventional star-driven releases, where opening-day numbers, promotional campaigns and large-scale production are often major factors in determining a film’s visibility.
That contrast has become one of the most interesting parts of the movie’s theatrical story. A project that did not begin with the conventional ingredients of a major commercial release has gradually found a much larger audience. The growing response has also given the film greater visibility among viewers who may not have initially been aware of it.
What Hanuman Ansh is really about
At the center of Hanuman Ansh is the life of Lakshman Das, whose spiritual journey eventually led to his becoming Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Neem Karori Baba. The film traces his journey from his early years toward the spiritual awakening that transformed his life and eventually made him a revered figure among followers.
Shobhinav Satyaa plays Neem Karoli Baba in the film, with Chandan Anand also among the leading cast members. Rather than presenting the story purely as a conventional biopic, the movie explores ideas surrounding faith, humility, seva and unconditional love, while bringing together accounts connected to the spiritual leader.
The filmmakers have previously described the project as being inspired by Bharat’s rich Sant parampara. Its trailer introduced the story through Lakshman Das’s search following the death of his mother and his eventual spiritual path, establishing the film as an exploration of faith rather than simply a chronological account of a famous figure’s life.
Neem Karoli Baba’s influence has also extended well beyond India, with his teachings and legacy attracting attention from people around the world. The spiritual leader has been associated with several prominent followers and admirers, including figures such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, although their individual connections to him differ in nature.
Hanuman Ansh Box Office Journey
The film’s theatrical performance makes Kangana’s endorsement even more timely. Hanuman Ansh opened with approximately ₹10 lakh, a number that would normally suggest a very short theatrical life for a film without major stars. Instead, the movie gradually gained momentum, with audience interest helping it remain in cinemas and expand its reach.
Recent figures cited for the film have placed its India net collection at around ₹54.74 crore. Against a reported production budget of roughly ₹2 crore, that represents an extraordinary box-office multiple, although collection-to-budget comparisons should not be treated as a direct calculation of producer profit.
The film’s trajectory is particularly unusual because its strongest phase came well after its release. Instead of relying on a massive opening weekend, Hanuman Ansh appears to have benefited from viewers discovering it over time and recommending it to others. That late theatrical momentum has become a major part of the story surrounding the movie.
Questions About Hanuman Ansh
What did Kangana Ranaut say about Hanuman Ansh?
Kangana Ranaut described Hanuman Ansh as a spiritual experience rather than simply a movie. She called it a “satsang” and praised its collection of stories involving people who had first-hand experiences of Neem Karoli Baba.
What is Hanuman Ansh about?
The film follows the spiritual journey of Lakshman Das, who eventually became Neem Karoli Baba. It explores his transformation and the ideas of faith, humility, seva and unconditional love associated with his teachings.
Who directed Hanuman Ansh?
Vishal Chaturvedi wrote and directed the film. The project features Shobhinav Satyaa and Chandan Anand in leading roles.
Why is Hanuman Ansh getting attention at the box office?
The film started with a modest opening of around ₹10 lakh but gradually built an audience. Its reported India net collection has since reached around ₹54.74 crore, creating a remarkable theatrical turnaround for such a small production.
What did Madhur Bhandarkar say about Hanuman Ansh?
Madhur Bhandarkar praised the film’s direction and Shobhinav Satyaa’s performance as Neem Karoli Baba. He also described the success of the small-budget, non-star film as something the Indian film industry should study.
Who plays Neem Karoli Baba in Hanuman Ansh?
Shobhinav Satyaa portrays Neem Karoli Baba in the film. His performance has received praise from Madhur Bhandarkar, while Kangana’s response focused more broadly on the film’s spiritual storytelling.
For Hanuman Ansh, the latest endorsement is another sign that its story has moved beyond its initial theatrical numbers. Kangana Ranaut’s description of the film as a “satsang” captures the particular space the movie is trying to occupy, where personal accounts and spiritual reflection matter as much as conventional cinematic storytelling. With its box-office run already becoming an unlikely success story, the film is now finding an audience among both moviegoers and prominent voices from the industry.
