From Box Office Struggle to Surprise Hit: Director Vishal Chaturvedi Calls Out Industry Hypocrisy Over ‘Hanuman Ansh’
The Indian film industry is often described as a place where success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. For director Vishal Chaturvedi, the journey of his recent project, Hanuman Ansh, has become a vivid case study in the fickle nature of Bollywood support. Despite the film emerging as an unexpected box-office phenomenon, Chaturvedi is speaking out about the industry’s initial indifference and the subsequent performative praise he has received.
A David vs. Goliath Battle
Hanuman Ansh, which delves into the profound devotion of Neem Karoli Baba toward Lord Hanuman—emphasizing themes of compassion, service, and love—faced an uphill battle from its inception. Produced on a modest budget of approximately Rs 1.75 to 2 crore, the film saw a rocky start, pulling in a mere Rs 10 lakh on its opening day.
The hurdles were not just limited to audience turnout but extended to systemic barriers. According to Chaturvedi, multiplex chains—including major players like PVR and Cinepolis—were highly skeptical of the film’s potential. As larger releases vied for screen space, Hanuman Ansh saw its footprint slashed aggressively.
“People drove this film. Theatres with big films scheduled to release chopped our screen count. From 250, our show count came down to 25,” Chaturvedi revealed in an interview on The Raunac Podcast.
The ‘Gyaan’ of the Confused
As the film began to build momentum through organic word-of-mouth, the sentiment in the industry shifted overnight. However, the sudden influx of congratulatory messages did not sit well with the director, who remembers clearly who stood by him when the film was struggling.
“After the film started to do well, several people called me to congratulate me. I don’t want to name them,” he explained. He noted that while some, like filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, reached out without being asked, others who had previously ignored his pleas for support were now eager to be associated with the project’s success.
“I am not mentioning the others because I had sought help from those people and they didn’t help me. Hence, I don’t want to name them for now just because they are congratulating me,” he added.
Chaturvedi did not mince words regarding the professional landscape of the Hindi film industry, stating, “People mostly don’t know what is going to work, but yet they pass on their gyaan to others. The industry is filled with confused people. There are two sets of people: one who genuinely want to make films, and others who don’t have any passion and think filmmaking is something they should try.”
A Miraculous Turnaround
The skepticism of theater owners ultimately proved to be a miscalculation. Fueled by positive audience reception, Hanuman Ansh defied the odds to become a surprise hit. By its 25th day, the film had accumulated a staggering Rs 45.28 crore net, with a gross collection reaching Rs 53.43 crore across India.
The film’s success serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the legacy of Neem Karoli Baba, the revered spiritual teacher from Uttar Pradesh, who passed away in 1973.
As the debate surrounding the lack of support for smaller, content-driven projects continues to rage, the success of Hanuman Ansh offers a sharp reminder to the industry: audiences are more than capable of identifying quality, and they do not require the validation of major studios or big-name endorsements to turn a film into a success. For those following the Hanuman Ansh narrative, it remains a powerful story of perseverance against industry gatekeepers.
