Madhur Bhandarkar Impressed By Hanuman Ansh, Calls It A ‘Crucial Case Study’ For Indian Film Industry

Despite generating little buzz ahead of its theatrical release last month, Hanuman Ansh gradually found its audience through strong word of mouth. The devotional drama, which explores the life and legacy of spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba, witnessed steady growth in the days following its release. The film has now completed 25 days in cinemas and has earned ₹47 crore at the domestic box office. Amid receiving love and appreciation, National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has lauded Hanuman Ansh for its impressive box-office performance. He described the film, which was made on a modest budget and features a non-star cast, as a “crucial case study” for the Indian film industry.

Madhur Bhandarkar took to social media and penned a long

note heaping praise on the film and its cast. He wrote, “Witnessed pure cinematic magic watching #HanumanAnsh in the theatre the audience was completely glued to the screen! @filmervishal direction is wonderfully honest & tender, while actor Shobhinav Satya’s portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba is purely natural and flawless.”

He further added, “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. My heartiest congratulations to the entire team the producers, actors, and technicians for their brilliant dedication, and a big thank you to the audience for making this incredible film a roaring blockbuster!” Have a look:

Witnessed pure cinematic magic watching #HanumanAnsh in the theatre the audience was completely glued to the screen! 🙌 @filmervishal direction is wonderfully honest & tender, while actor Shobhinav Satya’s portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba is purely natural and flawless. 👌
This… pic.twitter.com/rZGJmtqcRg

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) September 1, 2026

Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh draws inspiration from the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, fondly known as Maharaj-ji. The story centres on a young boy grieving the loss of his mother. In his search for a way to reconnect with her, he turns towards God, eventually discovering the deeper meaning of faith, devotion and selfless service.

Hanuman Ansh did not make much of an impact during its initial run. The film earned Rs 10 lakh on opening day, as per Sacnilk, and struggled to pick up pace over the next two weeks. By the end of this period, its domestic earnings stood at just Rs 1.48 crore. The film’s fortunes changed in its third week. On Day 17, Hanuman Ansh saw a notable surge in audience turnout, pushing its daily collection to Rs 2.20 crore. The unexpected jump marked the start of its strong box-office run.