Director Vishal Chaturvedi Reflects on OTT Rejection of 'Hanuman Ansh'

The film 'Hanuman Ansh', directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, has recently achieved significant success at the box office, surpassing ₹80 crore in gross earnings. Initially released on August 7, the film experienced a slow start, earning just ₹10 lakh on its opening day. However, strong word of mouth led to a remarkable turnaround in its fortunes. After grossing ₹1.80 crore in its first week and ₹40 lakh in its second week, collections soared in the third week, bringing in ₹10.40 crore. The positive momentum continued into the fourth week, culminating in a total gross collection of ₹96.03 crore, with a net collection of ₹81.41 crore.

In a recent interview, Vishal Chaturvedi shared his experiences of pitching 'Hanuman Ansh' to an OTT platform, describing the rejection he faced as derogatory. He explained that while discussing the story of Maharaj Ji, he became emotionally involved, leading to a deeply personal narrative. The rejection he encountered left a lasting impression, as he noted, 'The way they rejected, the language they used to reject me was derogatory.' Despite acknowledging that rejections are common in filmmaking, he emphasised that there are respectful ways to decline a project.

Chaturvedi expressed concern about the limited narrative perspectives held by some industry professionals, stating, 'I felt that the narrative in their mind... there is a hole in their mind through the narrative. Now it is necessary to bust that narrative.' This reflects a broader issue within the industry that he feels must be addressed.

The devotional drama, based on the life of spiritual guru Neem Karoli Baba, is both written and produced by Chaturvedi and stars Shobhinaw Satyaa in a lead role. As 'Hanuman Ansh' continues to draw audiences, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact of community-driven support in cinema.