A film that appeared headed for a quiet theatrical run has turned into one of the surprise box-office stories of 2026. Hanuman Ansh, a spiritual drama inspired by the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, opened to just ₹10 lakh on August 7 but has since witnessed a dramatic surge in audience interest.According to the latest trade figures reported on August 31, the film has crossed ₹40 crore in India net collections and reached around ₹47.33 crore India gross in 24 days. Another latest tracker puts its India net collection at ₹41.19 crore and gross at ₹48.58 crore, showing that the film is now closing in on the ₹50-crore mark. Box-office figures can vary between trade trackers, so the latest numbers should be treated as estimates until final figures are available.

From ₹10 lakh opening to a major turnaround

The film's early performance gave little indication of what was to come.Hanuman Ansh collected around ₹1.08 crore during its first week and roughly ₹1.5 crore in its first two weeks, according to reports based on industry tracker data. The turnaround began in its third week, when collections jumped sharply as more viewers started recommending the film.The third week proved to be the turning point. The film reportedly collected around ₹10.40 crore during that week, with individual days showing unusually strong growth. Its fourth week was even stronger, with reported collections of ₹6.25 crore on Day 22 and ₹9.25 crore on Day 23.That trajectory is unusual for a theatrical release. Most films depend heavily on their opening weekend, whereas Hanuman Ansh found its audience much later in its run.

What is Hanuman Ansh about?

Directed and written by Vishal Chaturvedi, the film is based on the spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. Actor Shobhinaw Satyaa plays the central role, with Chandan Anand, Purnima Tiwari and Anil Rastogi among the other members of the cast.The film follows a young boy's spiritual journey and his eventual transformation into Neem Karoli Baba. Its subject matter and devotional themes gave it a clearly defined audience, even though it did not arrive with the scale or promotional machinery associated with major Bollywood releases.

Why did the film suddenly take off?

There does not appear to be one single reason behind the turnaround.The film's team has said that it had a limited promotional budget. Instead of relying on a large conventional campaign, the makers organised eight bhandaras as part of their outreach and promotion. Director Vishal Chaturvedi also said the team sought guidance from spiritual leader Premanand Ji Maharaj before the release.The film's subject also helped it connect with an existing audience interested in Neem Karoli Baba and spirituality. But the biggest change appears to have come through word of mouth: people who watched the film began recommending it, leading to greater audience interest and more shows.

A reported ₹2 crore budget adds to the story

Reports have put the film's production budget at around ₹1.8 crore to ₹2 crore. At the time of its initial box-office surge, reports suggested that its earnings had already translated into a substantial return on the reported production cost.The exact profit, however, should not be equated directly with box-office collection minus production budget. Theatre revenue sharing, distribution costs, marketing expenses and other commercial factors determine a film's actual profitability.

The unusual lesson from Hanuman Ansh

The success of Hanuman Ansh is less about its opening and more about its longevity and delayed audience discovery.The film initially struggled to attract viewers, but instead of disappearing after its first couple of weeks, it began gaining momentum. Its performance suggests that a smaller film with a clearly defined audience can still build a theatrical run when positive word of mouth takes hold.As of August 31, the film is approaching the ₹50-crore India gross milestone, making its journey from a ₹10-lakh opening to a major sleeper hit one of the more unusual box-office stories of the year.

Mumbai: Emraan Hashmi's much-awaited action thriller Awarapan 2 has officially received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after undergoing several modifications. The sequel to the 2007 cult classic has been granted a U/A 16+ certificate, allowing viewers aged 16 and above to watch the film with parental guidance.

Before issuing the certification, the CBFC directed the makers to make a series of edits aimed at reducing explicit violence and ensuring responsible depiction of sensitive subjects such as drug abuse and child trafficking.

Multiple Violent Sequences Edited

According to reports, the Examining Committee instructed the filmmakers to tone down several intense action scenes. One extended violent sequence in the latter half of the film was shortened by nearly 50 percent, while three other highly graphic violence scenes were removed completely from the final version.

The changes were reportedly made to reduce the impact of excessive violence without affecting the film's overall narrative.

Drug Abuse Scene Removed

Apart from violence, the certification board also objected to a sequence showing drug consumption through snorting. The scene was deleted from the final cut before approval was granted.

Additionally, the board instructed the producers to include anti-drug static warnings during scenes that depict substance abuse. The mandatory anti-smoking disclaimer has also been inserted wherever smoking appears in the film.

Child Trafficking Disclaimer Added

The CBFC also recommended that the film carry an appropriate disclaimer regarding child trafficking, considering the sensitive nature of the subject. The advisory is intended to ensure viewers understand that the issue is illegal and socially unacceptable.

Offensive Language Modified

Several objectionable words used in the dialogues were either muted or replaced. The same edits have also been made to the film's subtitles to ensure consistency across all versions.

U/A 16+ Certification

Following these modifications, Awarapan 2 received a U/A 16+ certificate, indicating that the film contains mature themes suitable for audiences aged 16 years and above, with parental discretion advised for younger viewers.

The rating reflects the film's action-driven narrative while acknowledging the presence of mature content that required regulatory oversight.

Sequel to a Cult Classic

Directed as a follow-up to the 2007 film Awarapan, the sequel marks Emraan Hashmi's return to one of his most loved characters. The original film earned cult status over the years for its emotional storyline, memorable music and intense performances.

Expectations from the sequel remain high, with fans eager to see how the story continues nearly two decades later.