Hanuman Ansh movie is based on Indian mystic saint Neem Karoli Baba
Cinema & Arts

Hanuman Ansh and the Mystery of Neem Karoli Baba

What a quiet film about faith, simplicity and silence made me think about accepting myself for who I am.

The train wouldn’t move.

A British officer stood before the Baba sitting under a tree, engrossed in his bhajans, as villagers swayed in reverence, singing along. The train hadn’t moved for hours. The engine refused to roll. They even got another one, but that too couldn’t get the train moving.

And that’s how Lakshaman Narayan Sharma of Akbarpur village became Neeb Karori Baba, named after the village where he was forced off the first class compartment of the train in pre-Independent India. Eventually, it transitioned to the much smoother Neem Karoli Baba, whom we all know today.

Before talking about any saint or mystic, I’ve always begun by clarifying that I’m not religious, neither traditional nor ritualistic. But I am fascinated by the concept of God, an invisible, mysterious power that keeps us on our toes, intervening only when needed. And we label that as Karma.

As you might have guessed, I watched the movie Hanuman Ansh recently.

Why did I watch it?

The hype about it overtaking some of the bigger movies, and it was made on a relatively small budget of INR 2 crore.

But the primary reason was the mysticism that surrounds Neem Karoli Baba. I’ve visited the ashram in Delhi many times, mostly for the silence that surrounds it.

Unlike the more VFX-oriented Ramayanas that have failed, rightly so, this one has the charm of the real yesteryears movie. If you’ve watched Chupke Chupke or Anand, you know what I mean. Even Howrah Bridge or Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi came to mind. Not to miss B.R. Chopra’s Ramayana and Mahabharata that were aired on Doordarshan, now Prasar Bharti, in the late 1980s.

The movie’s success is also being compared to Jai Santoshi Maa (1975) which had also wooed audiences, beating commercial movies.

Hanuman Ansh moves through context: a simple village household with straightforward ways, a small child who wants to meet Ram and his mother who has now gone to Ram’s abode. It covers a short range of his life, from childhood to becoming Baba.

Tight editing, a calm aura and a no-rush, no-pressure rhythm elevate the mystical Neem Karoli Baba, making him an even more endearing human, long after his passing. There is no flaunting or glamourising. There is no famous Western follower needed to elevate the aura such as Ram Dass, Julia Roberts, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg.

Baba worshipped Hanuman because he believed that serving the monkey god was the road to finding his Ram.

And that, for me, is the beauty of the movie.

It doesn’t glorify God or Baba’s mystical powers. There is no demi-god cult here, no attempt to turn him into an extraordinary being hovering above ordinary life. Just a man who liked dhyan and worshipping Hanuman, cutting through the daily clutter of life to offer advice when needed.

The beauty of the story also lies in the simplicity of the dialogue and the way the actors deliver it.

While we’ve all seen Neem Karoli Baba’s photographs, actor Shobhinaw Satyaa’s heartwarming smile brings Baba closer to the public. Suddenly, the mystic in those familiar photographs feels less distant and more human.

Baba’s teachings transcended the bookish or scriptural versions, as he didn’t pursue formal education. He just retained his humane self with all its ups and downs.

In a time when cinema seems to have lost the plot, and turns to bigger sets, louder emotions and more spectacular effects to hold our attention, Hanuman Ansh takes the quieter road.

It cuts through the overpowering din of branding, superstar and superpower battles to align us with the reality of life. It was good to see a gentle story spreading a message of positivity and cheer.

Watching this movie reminded me that we should be who we are, trust our inner calling, and stop hiding in a herd.

And I’m going to watch it again. I’ll also probably end up going to all his ashrams as they are within drivable distance from Delhi.

Perhaps the second viewing will reveal something I missed the first time. Or perhaps I simply want to sit with that positivity once more.

Ambica Gulati is a journalist, senior editorial professional and storyteller with 26+ years of experience across India’s media landscape, including Swagat and Outlook Traveller. Her work spans travel, culture, environment, global affairs and visual storytelling.

Through Big World, Small Stories, she looks beyond the obvious to explore the people, places, encounters and ideas that reveal something larger about our changing world.

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36 thoughts on “Hanuman Ansh and the Mystery of Neem Karoli Baba”

  1. The post captures the beauty of grounded storytelling, highlighting how a quiet, low-budget film can leave a deeper impact than flashy blockbusters by simply focusing on faith, simplicity, and remaining true to oneself.

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  3. My father has been trying to find more information about the movie’s backstory, Baba, and everything else after knowing about the movie. Most of the time, it’s pure belief, sans dramatics and hype, that appeal to the mind and heart.

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    1. It’s a nice one to watch and since I have been to his ashram in Delhi, I was even more surprised to know about his miracles. I’ve never been drawn to gurus, just their teachings. But the movie brings him alive.

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  5. Yesterday, my dad showed us a video of movie review and also about some of his real life incident. At first i was skeptical to watch ut becoz nowadays many people in name of making movies about vedic and culture or life biography of famous personalities they made drastic changes to the story. So at first i thought even this movie might be the same. But then my dad clarified that everything is real life incident and also said that actor really protrayed karoli baba’s mannerism.. Bringing life to a character who is also of famous personality is really a difficult task. Im really glad that for this wonderfuly project they had best team.

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  6. I visited this place two years back and it was a very good experience, so much calm, well queued divine view, no rush like so many pilgrimages these days.

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  7. Wonderful and heartfelt review. It seems like the movie is indeed different from the typical Bollywood stuff. Good that some different movies are being made these days. I watched Ohh My Dog recently, and that’s another wonderful movie that is different.

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  8. What a beautifully reflective piece. I really appreciate how you highlighted that this film resists the urge to glorify or mythologies Baba, choosing instead to show him as a man devoted to Hanuman in his own quiet, humble way. That comparison to older, simpler films like Chupke Chupke and Anand really captures what feels missing in a lot of cinemas today, where spectacle so often crowds out sincerity. It’s lovely that a small budget film focused on faith and stillness could resonate this widely. Adding it to my watchlist, thank you for such a thoughtful review.

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  11. I’m truly heartbroken I missed this one in the theatres while I was in India. What a beautiful, thoughtful take on movie I’m now looking forward to catch on OTT. I love how you highlight the film’s simplicity, quiet faith, and focus on being true to oneself. This one definitely sounds like a refreshing watch.

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  12. I was not aware that there was a film based on the life of Neem Kakroli Baba, till the time one of my neighbour spoke to me about me. There are so many Biographies made these days in Bollywood making us capable to know their life stories in depth. Not yet watched but will definitely watch it

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  13. I’m waiting to watch this on OTT, not sure if I can go out for a movie but love the way you reviewed it here. I’ve been inclined towards him for a year or two and I believe the divine power around, would love to visit his temple someday. Thank you for putting out your perspective dear.

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  14. I had visited his main Ashram . Wish I had done so after the release of Hanuman Ansh. Haven’t yet seen the movie but would definitely catch it on OTT

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  15. I had visited his main Ashram . Wish I had done so after the release of Hanuman Ansh. Haven’t yet seen the movie but would definitely catch it on OTT

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  16. I had visited the main ashram. I wish I had known about this movie before my visit . I had hardly known about Baba and visited the ashram because it was one of the must- visit places . Will watch it once it is on OTT

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  18. I am also very curious to watch the movie and waiting for it to come on OTT since that’s the only option I have living outside India. I also found out that some of my grand aunts actually knew him personally and am even more keenly awaiting it.

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  19. This movie is certainly getting rave reviews, and I think I’m the only one who hasn’t watched it yet. As you rightly pointed out, a good movie doesn’t need too much taam-jhaam around it; sometimes a simple story, tight editing, and good actors in it can create the much-needed magic. Also, I’m guessing that this movie must be a welcome change at a time when commercial cinema is getting too loud and overwhelming.

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  20. I have yet to watch the movie, as I am not very religious and less interested, especially in a human god. But I like the way you reviewed it. Very impressive.

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