Hanuman Ansh Film Based on Neem Karoli Baba Declared Tax-Free in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, September 7, 2026: In a significant move for Indian cinema and spiritual discourse, the film Hanuman Ansh, which chronicles the spiritual life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, has been declared tax-free. As of September 5, 2026, the state of Uttarakhand has officially become the first in the nation to grant this status to the film. The decision follows a personal viewing by Chief Minister Dhami, who watched the movie alongside his wife and engineer at a local cinema hall before announcing the policy shift.

A Historical Cinematic Achievement

The film Hanuman Ansh has achieved what many industry analysts previously considered impossible, shattering a 51-year-old historical record for the most profitable Indian film. Within a span of just 31 days, the movie has redefined box office success for micro-budget projects. While the total budget of the production was between ₹1.7 crore and ₹2 crore, the film has generated a massive total collection of ₹122.13 crore, with its gross earnings across India crossing the ₹144 crore mark. This represents a return on investment of over 2,435%, marking a historic financial milestone in the Indian film industry.

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Surpassing Long-Standing Records

By surpassing this threshold, Hanuman Ansh has effectively broken the long-standing record held by the 1975 devotional film Jai Santoshi Maa. For over five decades, the latter was widely regarded as the most profitable Indian film relative to its budget. Furthermore, Hanuman Ansh has now secured the title of the smallest micro-budget Hindi film in history to surpass the ₹100 crore mark, successfully eclipsing the previous benchmark set by The Kashmir Files, which had a budget of approximately ₹15 crore.

The Phenomenon of Word-of-Mouth Growth

The trajectory of Hanuman Ansh serves as a unique case study in cinematic distribution and audience reception. The film experienced a modest start, opening with just ₹1.08 crore in its first week across a limited count of 25 screens and 355 shows. Unlike typical big-budget projects that see a heavy initial release followed by a steady decline in screen presence, this film saw its reach grow organically due to overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth. Public demand was such that the number of shows eventually expanded to between 5,000 and 6,000.

Setting New Standards for Longevity

The film’s performance during its fifth week has defied industry norms, particularly when compared to higher-budget features. While other contemporary releases saw their show counts drop significantly by their second week, Hanuman Ansh continued to gain momentum. On its 30th day, which coincided with its fifth Saturday, the film recorded an impressive net collection of ₹16.25 crore, representing a 62.5% increase compared to its previous day. This surge allowed it to break existing fifth-week records held by major commercial films. By focusing on the profound dedication, service, and spiritual lessons of Neem Karoli Baba, the film has managed to resonate with a broad audience base, solidifying its place as both a commercial phenomenon and a meaningful contribution to the cultural landscape of the region.