Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Richa Chadha Says Hanuman Ansh Success Doesn’t Define Content Cinema
Richa Chadha says one successful movie does not prove that 2026 is a landmark year for story-focused films.
She says Hanuman Ansh should be understood as a separate success.
She thinks religious and mythological movies often attract viewers because people are comfortable watching them.
She also says an Indian movie should not be judged against a Hollywood movie such as Obsession.
Chadha believes better scripts and more money for writers could help more story-focused movies succeed.
Hanuman Ansh tells a story inspired by the life of Neem Karoli Baba.
It started slowly, then earned more in its third week after positive word-of-mouth.
The film has made more than Rs 423 crore worldwide, according to one report.
Richa Chadha said Hanuman Ansh’s success does not make 2026 a landmark year for content-driven cinema.
She said religious and mythological films often appeal to audiences and cautioned against comparing Indian films with Hollywood release Obsession.
Chadha said better scripts and more investment in writers could help content-driven cinema take the lead.
Written, directed and produced by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh follows the life of Neem Karoli Baba and stars Shobhinaw Satyaa in his acting debut.
The film has grossed more than Rs 423 crore worldwide; it earned Rs 1.08 crore nett in week one, Rs 40 lakh in week two and Rs 10.4 crore in week three.
- Who
- Actress Richa Chadha commented on Hanuman Ansh; the film was made by Vishal Chaturvedi.
- What
- Chadha said the film’s success does not make 2026 a landmark year for content-driven cinema.
- When
- In 2026; the interview date is not specified.
- Where
- Chadha spoke to Zoom; the articles report the film’s worldwide box-office performance.
- Why
- She said the success of a religious or mythological film does not by itself show a wider change in audience preferences, and called for better scripts and more investment in writers.
Chadha’s interpretation
Commercial performance
Does the film signal a landmark year for content?
Chadha’s interpretation
Chadha said Hanuman Ansh’s success does not establish that 2026 is a landmark year for content-driven cinema, and said it should be viewed separately.
Commercial performance
The film became the third 2026 release to cross Rs 400 crore in worldwide gross, and one report puts its total above Rs 423 crore.
How to interpret the film’s appeal
Chadha’s interpretation
Chadha said religious and mythological material relatively often does well and that it is too early to conclude that broader change is underway.
Commercial performance
The articles report positive word-of-mouth and a rise in weekly earnings in the film’s third week, but provide no separate claim that this proves a wider audience shift.
- Film
- Hanuman Ansh
- Writer, director and producer
- Vishal Chaturvedi
- Subject
- The life of spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba
- Reported worldwide gross
- More than Rs 423 crore in one article; another says it crossed Rs 400 crore
- Reported budget
- Rs 2 crore
- First-week earnings
- Rs 1.08 crore nett
- Second- and third-week earnings
- Rs 40 lakh nett in week two and Rs 10.4 crore nett in week three
- Theatrical run
- The film continued to draw audiences after completing two months in theatres
