Hanuman Ansh Director Vishal Chaturvedi Reveals ‘Derogatory’ OTT Rejection As Film Turns Sleeper Hit
Hanuman Ansh has gone from being an unlikely theatrical release to one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2026. The Vishal Chaturvedi directorial, which opened to just around ₹10 lakh on Day 1, has now crossed the ₹80 crore mark in India, turning its extraordinary word-of-mouth run into one of the year’s biggest box office surprises.
But before audiences discovered the film in theatres, Hanuman Ansh had already faced a major setback. In an interview with India TV, director Vishal Chaturvedi recalled pitching the story to an OTT platform and said the manner in which the project was rejected left him deeply upset.
Vishal Chaturvedi Recalls The OTT Rejection
Speaking to India TV, Chaturvedi revealed that he had approached an OTT platform with the story of Neem Karoli Baba, whom he refers to as Maharaj Ji. The filmmaker said he became emotional while narrating the story and even broke down during the pitch.
According to Chaturvedi, the platform acknowledged the story as an Indian subject with international relevance, but the eventual rejection did not sit well with him.
The director described the language and manner used during the rejection as “derogatory”, saying that while rejection is a normal part of filmmaking, there is a respectful way to turn down a project.
He also suggested that the reaction reflected a certain perception surrounding the story one that he now believes needed to be challenged.
‘Now It Is Necessary To Bust That Narrative’
For Chaturvedi, the rejection did not end the journey of Hanuman Ansh. Instead, it strengthened his determination to bring the story to audiences.
The filmmaker pointed out that filmmakers routinely face rejection and that not every story connects with every platform. But he felt the language used in this particular instance went beyond a normal creative rejection.
That experience ultimately became another reason for him to stand behind the project and prove that the story could connect with audiences.
And the box office response has now delivered its own answer.
From ₹10 Lakh Opening To ₹80 Crore-Plus
Hanuman Ansh released theatrically on August 7, 2026, with a reported opening-day collection of only around ₹10 lakh. Its first week remained modest, but the film began finding an audience through strong word of mouth.
The turnaround became especially noticeable in the third week, when the film's collections jumped sharply. Reports indicate that the movie collected around ₹10.40 crore in its third week, followed by a spectacular ₹61 crore in its fourth week. The film's India net has since crossed ₹81 crore, while its India gross has been reported at around ₹96 crore.
That trajectory is almost unheard of for a film that began with such a small opening.
Word Of Mouth Became The Real Game Changer
The biggest factor behind Hanuman Ansh's rise has been its ability to steadily expand its audience.
Instead of relying on a massive opening, the film grew as viewers began recommending it to others. Shows that initially struggled for attention started witnessing stronger footfalls, with reports even pointing to house-full screenings as the momentum gathered.
The result is a theatrical run that has completely overturned the expectations surrounding the film.
What started as a modest release has now become a genuine sleeper-hit phenomenon.
A Film Rooted In Neem Karoli Baba’s Story
Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh is a spiritual drama inspired by the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj Ji.
The cast includes Shobhinaw Satyaa, Vihaan Shedge, Chandan Anand, Purnima Tiwari, Anil K. Rastogi and Gulshan Pandey. The film has a reported runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes and carries a U certificate.
At a time when theatrical success is often linked to major stars, established franchises and huge opening-day numbers, Hanuman Ansh has taken a completely different route.
It has built its success slowly and then exploded.
The Irony Of The OTT Rejection
There is now a striking irony to the story.
A project that was rejected by an OTT platform before it was made has gone on to become a major theatrical success. Chaturvedi's account of that rejection has gained added significance because audiences have ultimately embraced the very story that struggled to find an initial platform.
For the filmmaker, the box office journey is more than just a commercial victory. It is also validation for a story he strongly believed needed to be told.
Hanuman Ansh Is Now A Box Office Phenomenon
The numbers tell a remarkable story:
Opening Day: ~₹10 lakh
Third Week: ~₹10.40 crore
India Net: ₹81 crore+
India Gross: ~₹96 crore
From a tiny opening to more than ₹80 crore, Hanuman Ansh has become one of the most unexpected theatrical successes of 2026.
And that makes Vishal Chaturvedi's OTT rejection story even more fascinating.
The project may not have received the response he hoped for inside the OTT room, but once Hanuman Ansh reached theatres, audiences delivered their verdict in the most definitive way possible by buying tickets.
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