A small-budget devotional film based on the life of spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba has turned into one of the biggest surprise success stories of 2026. Hanuman Ansh, made on a reported budget of just ₹1.7 crore, has crossed the ₹72 crore mark in India, delivering an extraordinary return on its modest investment.
Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, the film stars Shobinav Satyaa as Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. The movie was released in theatres on August 7 and initially appeared to be heading towards a quiet run. It opened with approximately ₹10 lakh on its first day and had collected only around ₹1.48 crore during its first two weeks.
From Slow Start to Box-Office Sensation
The film's fortunes changed dramatically during its third week. Hanuman Ansh collected around ₹10.40 crore during its third week, followed by a spectacular fourth week. According to industry tracker Sacnilk figures reported by The Indian Express, the film earned ₹7.25 crore on its 27th day alone.
By Day 27, its India gross collection had reached approximately ₹72.32 crore, while its India net collection stood at around ₹61.38 crore.
The film's theatrical footprint also expanded significantly. It reportedly started with just 355 shows but eventually crossed 7,000 shows across India, reflecting the growing demand from audiences.
Word of Mouth Drives Success
Unlike major Bollywood productions that rely heavily on large promotional campaigns, Hanuman Ansh appears to have benefited substantially from word-of-mouth publicity.
The emotional and spiritual subject matter connected strongly with devotional audiences. Reports have also highlighted the film's music and performances as factors contributing to its growing popularity.
The movie traces the spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba, whose teachings emphasised love, compassion and service. His influence has extended far beyond India, with figures such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg having been associated with his spiritual legacy.
An Unusual Casting Story
The film's lead casting has its own remarkable story. Shobinav Satyaa was reportedly working as the project's second assistant director when the actor originally selected to play Neem Karoli Baba fell ill. Director Vishal Chaturvedi subsequently auditioned Satyaa for nearly five hours before casting him in the lead role.
With a reported ₹1.7 crore budget turning into more than ₹72 crore in gross theatrical revenue, Hanuman Ansh has become a striking example of how strong audience connection, spiritual storytelling and positive word of mouth can outperform massive marketing budgets
