Is Hanuman Ansh a film about Lord Hanuman or Neem Karoli Baba? The answer is both.
Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, the film draws from stories about Neem Karoli Baba’s life and his deep devotion to Lord Hanuman. While the title refers to Hanuman, much of the story follows the spiritual journey of a young boy who eventually becomes Neem Karoli Baba.
At its heart, the film tells a simple story of love, loss, faith and service to others.
A Child’s Search for His Mother Begins the Journey
The story follows 12-year-old Lakshman, also called Lakshmi, who later becomes Lakshman Das and eventually Neem Karoli Baba. The character is played by Shobhinav Satya.
After losing his mother, the young boy is told that she has gone to Lord Ram. Unable to accept her loss, he decides that he wants to find her.
But to reach Lord Ram, he believes he must first seek Lord Hanuman, Ram’s greatest devotee.
This simple childhood belief becomes the beginning of his spiritual journey. His search for his mother slowly becomes a search for Ram, which then brings him closer to Hanuman.
Faith Shown Through Helping Others
Instead of focusing on complicated spiritual teachings, Hanuman Ansh presents faith through everyday human experiences.
The film shows Neem Karoli Baba helping ordinary people facing hunger, poverty, family problems and injustice.
In one story, he helps a widow being exploited by a moneylender. In another, an abusive husband is encouraged to change his behaviour and become more compassionate.
The film repeatedly highlights the idea that devotion is not only about praying to God. It should also be visible in how people treat and help others.
Lord Hanuman’s Message Through Neem Karoli Baba
Lord Hanuman is not shown only as the powerful figure known from the Ramayana. Instead, the film uses Neem Karoli Baba’s devotion to explain how the values associated with Hanuman and Ram can become part of everyday life.
In one scene, Neem Karoli Baba shares the alms given to him by a Gujarati trader with young boys who have been marginalised because of the social hierarchy.
Through such moments, the film presents devotion as selfless service rather than something limited to religious practices.
Compassion Remains at the Centre
The same message appears in the film’s treatment of family relationships.
A father-son relationship is handled through empathy rather than anger, while a husband who fails in his responsibilities is made to confront his behaviour.
The film also portrays Neem Karoli Baba forgiving a British officer who had forcibly removed him from a train.
Through these stories, Hanuman Ansh focuses on a simple message: spirituality has little meaning if it does not make a person more compassionate towards others.
The 1943 Story of a Hungry Revolutionary
One of the film’s stories is set in 1943 during British rule.
An Indian revolutionary hiding from the authorities fears that his identity could be discovered. He has also been without food for 15 days.
A saint living nearby then arrives at his doorstep with food, as though he already knows what the hungry man needs.
Rather than turning the moment into a grand miracle, the film focuses on the human act of helping someone in need.
A Simple Approach to a Spiritual Story
Unlike faith-based films built around large-scale visuals and action, Hanuman Ansh takes a more personal approach.
Its story revolves around experiences that are easy to understand a child missing his mother, a hungry person needing food, a woman facing exploitation, a struggling family and someone looking for forgiveness.
These experiences are then connected with the film’s larger ideas of faith, kindness and service.
So, Is ‘Hanuman Ansh’ About Hanuman or Neem Karoli Baba?
The film brings both stories together.
It is about Neem Karoli Baba because his life provides the human story at the centre of the film. At the same time, it is about Lord Hanuman because Neem Karoli Baba’s devotion to Hanuman shapes his spiritual journey.
The title Hanuman Ansh, meaning a part or particle of Lord Hanuman, reflects this connection.
The film suggests that devotion to God is not only about prayer but also about compassion, forgiveness and serving people around you.
Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh was released in theatres on August 7, 2026, and is currently running in packed theatres.
