'Hanuman Ansh': The Breakout Hit
The biggest development is not just a biopic, but a certified blockbuster. A film titled 'Hanuman Ansh', written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, was released in Indian theatres on August 7, 2026. Made on a modest budget of around ₹2 crore, the film had
a very slow start, earning only about ₹10 lakh on its first day. However, powered by exceptionally strong word-of-mouth, it became a sleeper hit. By early September, its domestic gross collections had crossed the ₹100 crore mark, making it one of the most profitable Indian films of the year. The film follows the early life of Lakshminarayan Sharma, a young man who embarks on a spiritual journey after his mother's death and eventually transforms into the revered saint. It stars actor Shobhinaw Satya in the lead role.
An International Release
Following its remarkable success in India, the story of 'Hanuman Ansh' is going global. Hombale Films, the production house behind major blockbusters, is handling the film's international distribution. The overseas release is scheduled for September 11, 2026, a date that coincides with the 53rd anniversary of Neem Karoli Baba's mahasamadhi. This strategic release aims to connect with the global community of devotees and those curious about the saint's life, which has influenced international figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts. The government of Uttarakhand also declared the film tax-free in the state to highlight its cultural and spiritual heritage.
A Planned Trilogy
The story will not end with one film. Director Vishal Chaturvedi has confirmed that 'Hanuman Ansh' was always envisioned as the first installment of a trilogy based on his book 'Divine Detour'. With the first film's phenomenal success, work on the sequel has already begun. The second part is expected to explore the next phase of Baba's life, focusing on his time in Firozabad, Agra, and Mathura. The first film primarily covered his formative years and transformation into a spiritual figure, leaving much of his later life and teachings to be explored in future installments.
Are There Other Biopics?
Interestingly, 'Hanuman Ansh' isn't the only film project about the saint. Another biopic, titled 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj', was announced earlier in 2026. This project is directed by Sharad Singh Thakur and is set to star Marathi actor Subodh Bhave in the lead role. According to the director, this film was made after securing official rights from Neem Karoli Baba's family and conducting extensive research over several years. Thakur's film is also planned as a multi-part series, with the first two parts reportedly completed. While one film has become a box office sensation, it appears audiences may have more than one cinematic interpretation of Maharaj-ji's life to experience.
