Vishal Chaturvedi’s ‘Hanuman Ansh’, now a surprise box office success, had a bumpy road during production. Among the challenges was an unforeseen emergency, the film’s original lead actor fell severely ill. In response, the director chose to audition his own assistant director, Shobhinaw Satyaa, who went on to portray spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba in the film. During a recent interview, the pair also discussed navigating location hurdles caused by a tight budget while filming the movie.

Shobhinaw Satyaa recalls cast and crew quitting

Speaking to Hindi Rush, Shobhinaw revealed, “Many people left Hanuman Ansh, because they thought that this film will not be able to go on the floors, they won’t reach the location in Chitrakoot. There was a time that I was the last person standing, thinking that it will happen. I had done independent films earlier and witnessed such problems before.”He added, “But in that last moment, even I said that it can’t happen. But, Vishal Chaturvedi kept saying that we will do it. He used to dedicate himself completely. We were not in the condition to even reach there. But, we somehow boarded that train and reached somehow.”Made on a modest budget of Rs 2 crore, the film has since gone on to earn nearly 23 times its production cost.

Shobhinaw Satyaa started out as assistant director

Shobhinaw’s journey on ‘Hanuman Ansh’ began as an assistant director, long before he came to play the lead role of Neem Karoli Baba. The shift happened when the original lead actor fell suddenly ill, prompting director Vishal Chaturvedi to suggest Shobhinaw take over the part. “He had around 40-50 vomits and came drained for the shoot. We wouldn’t have been able to shoot the film with him. Films are shelved in such cases usually, and this was already a small film,” Vishal said.He continued, “That’s when I got the idea of casting Shobhinaw because he actually looks like Neem Karoli Baba. So, there was a team of three assistants and if one of them was out, only two people were left.”The actor, however, admitted he had reservations before agreeing to play the spiritual guru. “Sir wasn’t convinced initially, so he asked me a simple question about what was going on in my mind. I then told him that I am such a true follower of baba, what if people aren’t able to accept me? Actors have to face such things. Secondly, I was thinking that the people who think of me as an assistant director, would they accept me? And how would they react? But, sir took the responsibility and said that he is standing behind me,” he recalled.

‘Hanuman Ansh’ slow start turned into a box office triumph

‘Hanuman Ansh’ hit theatres on August 7 and had a sluggish start at the box office, managing just Rs 10 lakh on its opening day. However, the devotional drama pulled off a surprising turnaround in its third week, as collections began climbing steadily. The film is now nearing the Rs 150 crore mark and has already been confirmed for a sequel, alongside plans for a global release. Based on the life of spiritual guru Neem Karoli Baba, it is written, directed, and produced by Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, with Shobhinaw Satyaa playing the lead role.