Vishal Chaturvedi’s devotional drama Hanuman Ansh has emerged as an unexpected box office success after beginning its theatrical journey on a relatively modest scale, as reported by NDTV.
The film, which initially opened across 300 screens and reportedly dropped to just 30 screens by its eighth day, has since witnessed a remarkable turnaround, expanding its presence to more than 1,500 screens.
According to NDTV, the film’s growing popularity at the domestic box office has also paved the way for its international release. At the centre of the success story is 21-year-old producer Anupriya Nagar, who reportedly invested her personal savings into bringing the devotional drama inspired by Neem Karoli Baba to the big screen.
Following the film’s strong theatrical performance, Anupriya has now confirmed that audiences can expect a sequel. As reported by NDTV, the young producer said the response to Hanuman Ansh had made continuing the story almost inevitable.
“We are not going to dishearten our viewers. Maharaj ji (Neem Karoli Baba) has given us so much in abundance regarding the box office, so we don't have a choice but to make this.”
The film has also achieved a significant commercial milestone. According to NDTV, citing Sacnilk reports, Hanuman Ansh had crossed the Rs 122 crore mark at the domestic box office by the end of its 31st day, highlighting the scale of its growth after its limited initial release.
Despite the commercial success of the first instalment, Anupriya does not want the sequel to lose the simplicity and raw quality that she believes contributed to the original film’s appeal. According to NDTV, she explained that Hanuman Ansh was originally intended to be made on a considerably smaller budget and that its financial limitations ultimately became part of its identity.
“Our film was supposed to be made for Rs 2 crore. If we had made the same film for Rs 10 crore, it wouldn't have come out this way. The rawness and simplicity came from the low budget, and we will definitely keep that in mind,” she said.
Anupriya’s journey into filmmaking is particularly unusual given her age and the fact that she had no previous experience in film production. According to NDTV, she decided to support the project because she wanted the stories associated with Neem Karoli Baba to reach younger Indians, particularly members of Gen Z.
“I feel like age is just a number. My only focus was to bring Maharaj Ji's stories to the younger audience, to Gen Z. We get to know about such things through foreigners. I myself got to know about him through a foreigner, and, being the youth of India, I was ashamed that I was not getting to know about him through his own story.”
Her commitment to the project went beyond simply taking on the role of producer. NDTV reported that Anupriya invested the money she had earned and saved through part-time jobs while living in the UK. Despite not having a filmmaking background, she was determined to contribute when the project required financial support.
“When I came across Maharaj ji at a beautiful juncture of my life, I just wanted to get into this project. I didn't know what I could contribute because I had not done filmmaking, but I was ready to give my heart and soul to it. The project needed some investment at that particular time, so I said, ‘Whatever I have, I'm ready to give you guys,'” Anupriya told the outlet.
According to NDTV, the producer’s decision to put her savings into the project has now become an important part of the story surrounding the film’s unlikely box office journey—from a limited theatrical release to a nationwide expansion and an international rollout.
Directed by Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh is a biographical devotional drama inspired by his book Divine Detour: That Changed My Life, which chronicles the life of Neem Karoli Baba. The film features Shobhinaw Satyaa and Chandan Anand in the lead roles.
With the film crossing the Rs 122 crore milestone and its theatrical footprint expanding significantly, its success has now set the stage for another chapter. As reported by NDTV, Anupriya Nagar has made it clear that while the sequel will build on the popularity of Hanuman Ansh, preserving the original film’s simplicity and spiritual character will remain a priority.