Industry Insiders Ignored the Low-Budget Hit Before Its ₹72 Crore Box Office Triumph
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In a year marked by surprising box-office upsets, the devotional drama Hanuman Ansh has emerged as one of the most remarkable success stories of 2026. Starting with a modest collection of just ₹10 lakh on its opening day and struggling against severe screen stripping by major multiplex chains, the film relied purely on organic word-of-mouth to script a phenomenal turnaround. Surpassing major blockbusters in its fourth week—including Kannada star Yash’s anticipated projects—the film has grossed over ₹72.88 crore domestically, prompting the official announcement of a sequel. However, director Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi has pulled back the curtain on Bollywood’s cold-shoulder culture, exposing the blatant hypocrisy of industry insiders who refused to back the project before release but rushed to send congratulatory messages once it became a hit.
Overcoming Multiplex Bias and Severe Screen Stripping
Appearing on a recent podcast, director Vishal Chaturvedi opened up about the grueling uphill battle the film faced during its theatrical run. Despite carrying a powerful spiritual narrative based on his book Divine Detour: The Story That Changed My Life—which chronicles the profound journey of Neem Karoli Baba and stars Shobhinav Satya and Chandan Anand—Hanuman Ansh was heavily sidelined by exhibitors favoring high-profile commercial titles. Major multiplex chains like PVR and Cinepolis were initially hesitant to allocate prime slots, slashing the film's daily screenings from a meager 250 down to just 25. Yet, defying industry gatekeeping, audience support fueled an unprecedented surge in viewership by the third week.
The Hypocrisy of Bollywood: From Zero Support to Sudden Congratulatory Calls
When questioned about whether the Hindi film fraternity extended any support during the movie's vulnerable pre-release phase, Chaturvedi didn't mince words. Laughing off the sudden influx of industry praise, the director revealed that many prominent figures who outright ignored requests for help when the film needed backing are now lining up to take credit through phone calls and public appreciation.
While acknowledging genuine well-wishers like acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar—who reached out with support even without prior solicitation—Chaturvedi criticized the fair-weather nature of Bollywood elites. "I had asked them for help, and they didn't help me. So, just because they are congratulating me now that the film is a success, I choose not to name them," the director remarked candidly, highlighting how the industry only celebrates a project after it has already proven its financial viability without their assistance.
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