Hanuman Ansh Review: A Small Film With a Very Big Heart

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

Some films arrive with huge budgets, star casts and months of promotion. Hanuman Ansh arrived almost quietly, and then it simply would not leave. We finally watched it, and we'll be honest: it surpassed every expectation we walked in with.

A story told with devotion

Hanuman Ansh follows the early life of the boy who would one day be known to millions as Neem Karoli Baba, or Maharaj-ji. He is a grieving child who sets out in search of God and slowly becomes a saint devoted to Hanuman and to serving others. This first chapter covers his journey from childhood into his youth, and it's planned as the opening film of a trilogy.

We can't remember the last time a film about a spiritual guru was made with this much care. There are no flashy effects or forced drama. The film holds your attention through emotion, faith and patient, heartfelt storytelling. Many scenes feel less like watching a movie and more like sitting quietly in a temple courtyard listening to an elder share a story they hold close.

A lead performance that feels real

The biggest surprise is the cast. These are largely new faces, and they carry the film with remarkable sincerity. Shobhinaw Satyaa, who plays Neem Karoli Baba, deserves special praise. He originally joined the team behind the camera before landing the role, and at times you genuinely forget you're watching an actor. His stillness, his eyes and his gentle presence make you feel you're in Maharaj-ji's company.

It's hard to believe this film comes from such a new team. Director Vishal Chaturvedi tells the story with a calm confidence that many experienced filmmakers would envy.

Poster: Swambhu Media Network / Hanuman Ansh (official Instagram)

Music that stays with you

If the story is the film's heart, the music is its soul. The background score lifts every emotional moment, and the songs are simply on another level. Parvati, a folk-rooted devotional track, has become a phenomenon of its own. It reached No. 1 on YouTube Music's weekly songs chart in India and No. 2 globally, with more than 100 million YouTube views. After watching the film, it's easy to see why so many people can't stop playing it.

Made the way it preaches

What makes Hanuman Ansh even more special is how it was made. The director has spoken about strict rules on set: no alcohol, no non-vegetarian food, no swearing and no arguments. Every shooting day began with the Hanuman Chalisa. The team didn't just make a film about Maharaj-ji's values of love, discipline and service; they tried to live them while making it. Somehow you can feel that on screen.

The little film that could

The film's box office journey is a story in itself. Made on a budget of around ₹2 crore, it opened quietly on only about 250 screens and started slowly. Then word of mouth took over. Today it has grossed over ₹414 crore worldwide, placing it among the top 50 highest-grossing Indian films of all time. We're not surprised. This is a film people leave quietly, then go home and tell everyone they know to watch.

The Cyprus connection

The magic reached our shores too. When Indian Cinema Connects organised a special screening of Hanuman Ansh at Rio Cinemas, Limassol on 20 September, sponsored by Help2Live, the hall was packed. It was a joy to see so many Indians and friends of India in Cyprus sharing the experience together, with plenty of moist eyes and folded hands by the end. If you missed it, keep an eye on our What's On page for future screenings and community events.

Our verdict

Hanuman Ansh is simple, sincere and deeply moving. It takes a little time to find its rhythm, and its modest budget shows in places, but none of that matters once the story takes hold. It proves that a film doesn't need big names or big budgets to touch millions of hearts, just honesty, devotion and a story worth telling. Whether you follow Neem Karoli Baba or are simply curious about him, this is one to watch with your family.

Jai Hanuman. Sita Ram. 🙏

Read also: Hanuman Ansh — Special Screening in Cyprus

Sources: OutlookIndia, TheWeek, Wikipedia, Mamaraazzi, Musicplus, MeriSaheli, NewsX, India.com, Brut India