Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has praised ‘Hanuman Ansh’, calling the devotional drama “pure cinematic magic” and describing its surprise box-office success as an important lesson for the Indian film industry. The National Award-winning director shared his reaction after watching the Vishal Chaturvedi directorial in a theatre, applauding its storytelling, performances and ability to connect with audiences despite its modest budget and non-star cast.
Madhur Bhandarkar calls ‘Hanuman Ansh’ ‘pure cinematic magic’
Taking to X, Madhur Bhandarkar shared his experience of watching Hanuman Ansh on the big screen and highlighted the audience’s engagement throughout the screening.He wrote, “Witnessed pure cinematic magic watching #HanumanAnsh in the theatre, the audience was completely glued to the screen! @filmervishal’s direction is wonderfully honest & tender, while actor Shobhinav Satya’s portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba is purely natural and flawless.”The filmmaker particularly praised Shobhinav Satya, who portrays spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. His performance has emerged as one of the film’s key talking points, with audiences also noticing his resemblance to the revered spiritual figure.Bhandarkar went on to highlight the film’s commercial performance, especially considering its relatively small budget and lack of conventional star power. According to the filmmaker, Hanuman Ansh demonstrates that strong conviction and storytelling can still draw audiences to theatres.He wrote, “This small-budget film with a non-star cast is a crucial case study for the entire Indian film industry. It proves that true conviction and powerful storytelling always triumph over massive budget films at the box office.”Bhandarkar also congratulated the makers, cast and crew, while crediting audiences for turning the film into what he described as a “roaring blockbuster.”His comments come at a time when Hanuman Ansh has become an unlikely theatrical success, with its box-office trajectory gaining attention across the industry.
What is ‘Hanuman Ansh’ about?Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh revolves around Neem Karoli Baba, a spiritual leader also known as Maharaj-ji. The film follows a grief-stricken boy whose search for his late mother ultimately leads him towards a life of spiritual discovery and divine service. The film has found an audience through word of mouth, with its emotional and devotional themes helping it sustain its theatrical run well beyond its initial release period.
‘Hanuman Ansh’ box office: From a slow start to Rs 54 crore
‘Hanuman Ansh’ had a relatively quiet beginning at the box office. According to Sacnilk, the film opened with a collection of just Rs 10 lakh on Day 1 and earned around Rs. 1.48 crore during its first fortnight. However, its fortunes changed dramatically from Day 17 onwards. The film registered a significant jump, collecting Rs. 2.20 crore in a single day as positive word of mouth began translating into stronger theatre occupancy. The film has now completed 26 days in cinemas and has crossed the Rs 54-crore mark in India. Its remarkable turnaround has made it one of the more unexpected success stories of the current theatrical season.
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