Kangana Ranaut calls Hanuman Ansh a 'satsang', urges fans to skip therapy
Synopsis
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut called 'Hanuman Ansh' not a film but a 'satsang' — and told fans to skip therapy to watch it. With filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar also hailing its box-office run as a 'case study for Indian cinema,' this low-budget, non-star devotional drama is fast becoming one of Bollywood's most talked-about surprise hits.
Key Takeaways
Kangana Ranaut called 'Hanuman Ansh' a 'satsang' and urged viewers to skip therapy to watch the film.
The film is based on the life of saint Neem Karoli Baba , with Shobhinaw Satyaa playing the lead role.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar described the film as 'pure cinematic magic' and a 'crucial case study for the entire Indian film industry.' Director Vishal Chaturvedi helmed the project, which features a non-star cast including Chandan Anand , Purnima Tiwari , and Vihaan Shedge .
Despite a modest budget and no marquee names, the film has reportedly delivered a strong box-office run.
Actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has lavished praise on the recently released spiritual drama 'Hanuman Ansh', calling it far more than a film. The 'Queen' star went so far as to advise viewers to forgo therapy sessions and spend that time — and money — watching the movie instead, which is centred on the life of revered saint Neem Karoli Baba.
Kangana's Instagram Appreciation
On Wednesday, Ranaut took to the Stories section of her official Instagram handle, sharing a photograph of Neem Karoli Baba alongside a heartfelt note. She wrote: '#hanumanansh is not a movie; it's a satsang, beautifully woven short stories of people who had first-hand experience of #neemkaroribaba. Skip your therapy and go watch it.' The post quickly drew attention, amplifying the film's already-buzzing word-of-mouth momentum.
Madhur Bhandarkar Hails the Film's Box-Office Run
Prior to Ranaut's endorsement, veteran filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar — known for the critically acclaimed 'Fashion' — had also taken to social media to celebrate the project. Bhandarkar praised director Vishal Chaturvedi and lead actor Shobhinaw Satyaa, who portrays Neem Karoli Baba on screen, calling the performance 'purely natural and flawless.'
In his post, Bhandarkar wrote: 'Witnessed pure cinematic magic watching #HanumanAnsh in the theatre — the audience was completely glued to the screen! @filmervishal direction is wonderfully honest and tender, while actor Shobhinav Satya's portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba is purely natural and flawless.' He further described the film as 'a crucial case study for the entire Indian film industry,' arguing that 'true conviction and powerful storytelling always triumph over massive budget films at the box office.'
A Small-Budget Film Punching Above Its Weight
'Hanuman Ansh' features a non-star ensemble cast that includes Chandan Anand, Purnima Tiwari, and Vihaan Shedge in key roles. Despite its modest budget and the absence of marquee names, the film has reportedly delivered a strong run at the box office, drawing comparisons to other faith-driven productions that have outperformed commercial expectations in recent years. Notably, this follows a broader pattern of devotional and spiritual narratives — such as 'The Kerala Story' and the Hanuman franchise — finding outsized audience traction beyond multiplex circuits.
Why the Endorsements Matter
Celebrity backing from figures like Ranaut — a polarising but high-visibility public personality — and industry veterans like Bhandarkar can meaningfully extend a film's theatrical run, particularly for smaller productions reliant on organic discovery rather than marketing spend. The dual endorsements arrived at a critical window, when the film was consolidating its early momentum. Whether the box-office numbers translate into a sustained run will depend on how the film holds in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Yet the industry treats each instance as a surprise. Kangana Ranaut's endorsement is strategically timed and hard to ignore: her political profile ensures the clip travels well beyond film circles. Bhandarkar's 'case study' framing is the more interesting signal — it implicitly challenges the star-system economics that dominate Bollywood's risk calculus. If the film's numbers hold, it will add pressure on studios to greenlight more story-first, budget-light projects. Whether that pressure translates into structural change, or remains a talking point until the next big-budget spectacle, is the real question.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kangana Ranaut say about Hanuman Ansh?
Kangana Ranaut called 'Hanuman Ansh' not a film but a 'satsang,' sharing the message on her Instagram Stories alongside a photo of Neem Karoli Baba. She urged viewers to skip therapy and watch the film instead.
What is Hanuman Ansh about?
'Hanuman Ansh' is a spiritual drama based on the life of revered saint Neem Karoli Baba, featuring actor Shobhinaw Satyaa in the lead role. The film weaves together short stories from people who reportedly had first-hand experiences with the saint.
Who is in the cast of Hanuman Ansh?
The film stars Shobhinaw Satyaa as Neem Karoli Baba, with Chandan Anand, Purnima Tiwari, and Vihaan Shedge in key supporting roles. It is directed by Vishal Chaturvedi.
What did Madhur Bhandarkar say about Hanuman Ansh?
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar called the film 'pure cinematic magic,' praising director Vishal Chaturvedi's 'wonderfully honest and tender' direction and Shobhinaw Satyaa's 'purely natural and flawless' portrayal. He described it as a 'crucial case study for the entire Indian film industry,' arguing that powerful storytelling can triumph over big-budget productions.
Why is Hanuman Ansh considered a box-office surprise?
The film carries a small budget and features no major Bollywood stars, yet has reportedly delivered a strong run at ticket counters. Industry observers, including Madhur Bhandarkar, have cited it as evidence that conviction-driven storytelling can outperform commercially driven, high-budget productions.
