Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Hanuman Ansh Turns Neem Karoli Baba’s Story Into Box-Office Success
Hanuman Ansh is a devotional movie about a spiritual teacher named Neem Karoli Baba.
The film shows his childhood and how he became a holy man.
Baba was devoted to Lord Hanuman and taught people to love others and serve selflessly.
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 to his legacy.
A follower named Ram Dass wrote about Baba 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 theatres reduced the film’s shows to make room for bigger movies.
Vishal Chaturvedi’s devotional film Hanuman Ansh reportedly made for ₹2 crore has crossed ₹50 crore in India.
The film follows Lakshman Das from childhood and spiritual awakening to his transformation into Neem Karoli Baba.
Neem Karoli Baba was a devotee of Lord Hanuman whose teachings stressed love, compassion, devotion and selfless service.
Ram Dass helped take Baba’s teachings to international audiences, while Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts were linked to his legacy.
Chaturvedi said sold-out shows faced screen reductions as theatres prioritised larger releases including Awarapan 2 and Toxic.
- 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.
- When
- The film is in its theatrical run; Neem Karoli Baba died on September 11, 1973.
- Where
- The film is set in 20th-century India, while Neem Karoli Baba is associated with Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh, Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand and Vrindavan.
- Why
- The film presents Baba’s devotion to Lord Hanuman and his teachings about love, compassion, devotion and selfless service.
Film Team’s View
Theatre Release Constraints
How to judge the film’s performance
Film Team’s View
Vishal Chaturvedi said declaring the film a hit or flop before its theatrical run ends is premature, while arguing that audience support and discussion indicate success.
Theatre Release Constraints
The film’s final commercial status remained unsettled because its theatrical run was still continuing when the director made the comments.
Keeping screens available
Film Team’s View
The production team said it worked to retain the film in theatres and travelled through cities in Gujarat and Rajasthan after shows sold out.
Theatre Release Constraints
Chaturvedi said theatre owners prioritised larger releases such as Awarapan 2 and Toxic, reducing Hanuman Ansh’s available shows despite reported demand.
- 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
- Associated ashram
- Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand
- Death
- September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan
- International link
- Ram Dass wrote about Baba in Be Here Now
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?
Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma, Steve Jobs, Julia Roberts: Celebs who were drawn to Neem Karoli Baba before Hanuman Ansh
