A small-budget devotional film has emerged as one of the biggest box office success stories of 2026, outperforming several high-profile releases despite having no major star and very little promotion.
Hanuman Ansh, a film based on the life and spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba, was reportedly made on a budget of around ₹2 crore. The film, written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, stars Chandan Anand and Shobhinav Satyaa in the lead roles.
The film arrived in theatres on August 7 without much fanfare. Its opening was modest, with the movie collecting around ₹60 lakh during its first weekend. At that stage, it appeared unlikely to make a major impact at the box office.
However, the film gradually found an audience through positive word-of-mouth. By its second weekend, interest in the movie had increased significantly, prompting exhibitors to add more shows. The rise in screenings helped the film register a sharp jump in collections.
According to the figures reported by Hindustan Times, Hanuman Ansh has now crossed ₹42 crore in net domestic collections and is moving towards the ₹50 crore mark. This represents more than 20 times its reported production budget.
The film's success becomes even more notable when compared with some of the year's bigger releases. While films such as Dhurandhar 2 and Awarapan 2 arrived with significantly larger budgets and established stars, Hanuman Ansh managed to deliver a much higher return on its relatively small investment.
The film is currently estimated to have generated around 2000% profit on its production cost. Industry estimates suggest that the figure could rise further if the movie continues its theatrical run at the current pace.
The film's story focuses on Lakshman Das and his transformation into the spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba. It follows his journey from his early teenage years through his spiritual awakening and the devotion he eventually inspired among followers.
Vishal Chaturvedi, who wrote and directed the film, is a doctor-turned-filmmaker. The movie has been produced by Swambhu Media Network Pvt. Ltd., along with Ragini S., Namrata G. S. and Anupriya A. Nagar.
What makes Hanuman Ansh's box office performance particularly striking is the contrast between its initial reception and its later success. With limited publicity and no major Bollywood star attached, the film initially struggled to attract audiences. Its fortunes changed when viewers began recommending it to others.
The success also highlights the growing importance of word-of-mouth in determining the fate of smaller films. While big-budget productions often depend on extensive marketing and star power, Hanuman Ansh has managed to build its audience gradually.
With the film still running in theatres, it could potentially cross ₹50 crore and may even have a chance of reaching the ₹100 crore mark if its momentum continues. If that happens, the film would become an even more remarkable example of how a modest investment can turn into a major theatrical success.
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