Devendra Fadnavis meets 'Hanuman Ansh' team, praises director's great work
Synopsis
Two BJP chief ministers — Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis and Madhya Pradesh's Mohan Yadav — have publicly backed 'Hanuman Ansh', a film on Neem Karoli Baba's devotion to Lord Hanuman. With meetings at official residences and social media endorsements, the film is gaining rare political visibility alongside its critical acclaim.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis hosted the 'Hanuman Ansh' team, including director Vishal Chaturvedi , at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai .
Fadnavis publicly congratulated the team on Saturday, 19 September 2026 via his official X account.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also watched the film and praised its spiritual and cultural messaging.
Yadav specifically commended actor Shobhinav Satya for his portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba .
Both chief ministers highlighted the film's potential to connect younger audiences with India's spiritual heritage .
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the cast and crew of the widely acclaimed film 'Hanuman Ansh', along with director Vishal Chaturvedi, at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Ganpati Bappa. The meeting, which took place on Friday evening, was acknowledged by the Chief Minister on Saturday, 19 September 2026 via his official X account, where he congratulated the team on their 'great work'.
What Fadnavis Said
Sharing a glimpse of the gathering on his official X timeline, Fadnavis wrote: 'It was great to have team Hanuman Ansh at Varsha, last evening, to seek blessings of Ganpati Bappa. Congratulated Vishal Chaturvedi and team on their great work and wished more success in all the endeavours!'
The Chief Minister's warm reception signals growing political appreciation for the film, which centres on the life and spiritual legacy of Neem Karoli Baba and his devotion to Lord Hanuman.
Madhya Pradesh CM Also Weighs In
The Maharashtra CM's endorsement follows a similar gesture from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who watched the film and publicly praised its portrayal of faith, devotion, and cultural traditions. Yadav described the film as 'a medium to understand our faith, spiritual traditions and the path of devotion to Lord Hanuman,' adding that it 'effectively presents the spirit of worship and service and the power of devotion to bring about social reform.'
The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister also specifically commended actor Shobhinav Satya for his portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba, calling the performance a convincing screen rendition of the revered saint.
Cultural and Spiritual Resonance
Both chief ministers have highlighted the film's potential to connect younger audiences with India's cultural and spiritual heritage. Yadav noted that 'films on such subjects can play an important role in connecting the younger generation with its roots, values and spiritual heritage.'
He also posted on social media: 'Today, I watched the much-discussed film Hanuman Ansh with the workers. This film, centred on the life story of Neem Karoli Baba, inspires us with integral humanism, service, and the welfare of the proletariat class. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the entire team of the film for this meaningful and inspiring presentation.'
The Film's Growing Momentum
Notably, the high-profile political endorsements from two sitting chief ministers — one from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed Maharashtra and another from Madhya Pradesh — underscore the film's resonance beyond box-office metrics. 'Hanuman Ansh' appears to be attracting attention as much for its spiritual and cultural messaging as for its cinematic craft.
With the film continuing to build momentum, further political and public endorsements are likely in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
And the pattern here is deliberate — 'Hanuman Ansh' sits at the intersection of devotional cinema and cultural-nationalist politics, making it an easy vehicle for political signalling. What is worth watching is whether this translates into the kind of sustained audience turnout that converts political goodwill into box-office longevity, or whether the attention remains a short-lived endorsement cycle. Films centred on saint figures have historically found stable audiences in tier-2 and tier-3 cities; the CM visits may accelerate that reach. The absence of any critical counter-voice in the public discourse around the film, however, deserves note.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meet the 'Hanuman Ansh' team?
Fadnavis hosted the 'Hanuman Ansh' cast and crew at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Ganpati Bappa. He publicly congratulated director Vishal Chaturvedi and the team for their 'great work' via his official X account on 19 September 2026.
What is 'Hanuman Ansh' about?
'Hanuman Ansh' is a film centred on the life and spiritual legacy of Neem Karoli Baba and his devotion to Lord Hanuman. It explores themes of faith, service, devotion, and social reform rooted in Indian spiritual traditions.
Which other chief minister praised 'Hanuman Ansh'?
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav watched the film and praised it for its portrayal of faith, devotion, and cultural traditions. He also commended actor Shobhinav Satya for his portrayal of Neem Karoli Baba.
Who directed 'Hanuman Ansh'?
'Hanuman Ansh' was directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, who was present at the meeting with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at Varsha.
Why are political leaders endorsing 'Hanuman Ansh'?
Both chief ministers have cited the film's capacity to connect younger audiences with India's cultural and spiritual heritage as a key reason for their endorsements. The film's themes of devotion, integral humanism, and service appear to align with the cultural messaging promoted by BJP-governed states.
