23 hrs ago
Hanuman Ansh Brings Neem Karoli Baba’s Legacy to Theatres
Hanuman Ansh is a devotional movie about a spiritual teacher named Neem Karoli Baba.
The film shows his life as a child and his journey toward becoming a holy man.
Baba was devoted to Lord Hanuman and taught people about love, compassion and helping others.
The movie reportedly cost about ₹2 crore and has earned more than ₹50 crore in India.
His ashram at Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand is closely connected with his legacy.
A follower named Ram Dass wrote about him in the book Be Here Now.
Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts were also described as being influenced by or drawn to Baba’s story.
The director said some cinemas removed the film’s shows to make space for bigger movies.
His team travelled to different theatres to help keep the movie available.
Vishal Chaturvedi’s devotional film Hanuman Ansh, reportedly made for ₹2 crore, has crossed ₹50 crore in India.
The film follows Lakshman Das’s childhood, spiritual awakening and transformation into Neem Karoli Baba.
Neem Karoli Baba was a devotee of Lord Hanuman whose teachings emphasized love, compassion, devotion and selfless service.
Ram Dass helped introduce Baba’s teachings internationally, while Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts described connections to his legacy.
Chaturvedi said sold-out shows were affected as cinemas prioritized larger releases, prompting the production team to visit theatres across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Who
- Director Vishal Chaturvedi made Hanuman Ansh, which portrays Neem Karoli Baba, whose birth name was Lakshman Narayan Sharma.
- What
- Hanuman Ansh has reportedly crossed ₹50 crore in India on a reported ₹2 crore budget and depicts Baba’s spiritual journey.
- Where
- The story is set in 20th-century India, with Neem Karoli Baba associated with Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh, Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand and Vrindavan.
- When
- The film is in its theatrical run; Neem Karoli Baba died on September 11, 1973.
- Why
- The film presents Baba’s devotion to Lord Hanuman and his teachings about love, compassion, devotion and selfless service.
Director and Production Team
Theatre Release Priorities
How to assess the film’s success
Director and Production Team
Vishal Chaturvedi said calling the film a hit or flop before its theatrical run ends is premature, while arguing that strong audience support and discussion indicate success.
Theatre Release Priorities
The film’s final commercial status remains unsettled because its theatrical run was still continuing when the director made the comments.
Keeping screens available
Director and Production Team
The production team said it travelled through Gujarat and Rajasthan, including Surat, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Morbi, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur, after shows sold out.
Theatre Release Priorities
According to Chaturvedi, theatre owners prioritized larger releases such as Awarapan 2 and Toxic, reducing Hanuman Ansh’s available shows despite audience demand.
Key facts
- Film
- Hanuman Ansh
- Director
- Vishal Chaturvedi
- Reported budget
- ₹2 crore
- Reported Indian box office
- More than ₹50 crore
- Baba’s birth name
- Lakshman Narayan Sharma
- Birth details
- Around 1900 in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh
- Death
- September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan
- Associated ashram
- Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand
Quotes
Vishal Chaturvedi
Director of Hanuman Ansh
“The theatre owners had two other big films. They were putting up their shows. Because they were getting pushed from there, and they were taking out our film. They didn’t have any other way, but when all the shows were sold out, a crisis situation was created.”
indianexpress.com
livemint.com
“As far as declaring to people that it is a flop film, I feel that there should be some standards in the industry. As long as a film is still in theatres and its theatrical run is not complete, declaring it a hit or a flop is premature.”
indianexpress.com
livemint.com
Sources
Hanuman Ansh: Who was Neem Karoli Baba, the spiritual guru who inspired Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg
Hanuman Ansh brings Neem Karoli Baba’s story to screen: Who was he and why did Steve Jobs, Julia Roberts admire him?
