Entertainment

From Steve Jobs Research to Rs 100-Crore Success: The Unplanned Journey of Hanuman Ansh Producer Anupriya Nagar

By Jyothi Jha

The success story behind the hit film Hanuman Ansh takes an unexpected turn when it comes to its producer, 21-year-old Anupriya Nagar, who never intended to enter filmmaking. While pursuing a degree in Economics in the UK, she was set on a completely different career path until a chain of events, beginning with research on Steve Jobs, led her back to India and eventually to the film's director, Vishal Chaturvedi. As Hanuman Ansh continues to draw audiences in its fourth week, Anupriya has shared details of her journey in various interviews. Speaking to Doordarshan, she said that making a film on Neem Karoli Baba, referred to as Maharaj Ji, was a risk, but box office returns were never her goal. She expressed happiness that audiences were embracing the film, adding that at just 21, she had not even considered what she would do with the money it has earned. In an interview with ABP Live, Anupriya explained that filmmaking was never part of her plans. After completing her graduation in Economics in the UK last year, she had secured a job in the art industry in Switzerland and was preparing to relocate there. She said returning to India or making a film was never on her agenda. Anupriya recounted how she came across Neem Karoli Baba while researching technology companies and their founders during her final year of college. She said she was studying the origins of ideas behind companies like Apple and Meta when she discovered that Neem Karoli Baba had influenced Steve Jobs, who reportedly conceived the idea of a color computer while at Kainchi Dham. She said she found it strange that she learned about an Indian saint through information linked to a foreign figure, which prompted her to research further. She initially thought about creating a book or comic book based on her research. However, her plans shifted after she returned to India and met Vishal Chaturvedi, who was already working on a film about Neem Karoli Baba. She described the meeting as completely unplanned and coincidental. Discussing the film's financial success, Anupriya said that profit was never her main motivation, though she acknowledged being blessed with strong returns. She said she plans to use the money to support underprivileged children and charitable causes, crediting Maharaj Ji for the outcome. She also recalled that after its first week, the film had been declared a flop within the industry, which affected the team's morale. She said the turnaround came through word-of-mouth promotion from viewers and influencers, describing it as nothing short of a miracle. Anupriya revealed that two more installments in the Hanuman Ansh franchise are being planned, though discussions on budget and scale have not yet begun due to the team's focus on the film's ongoing success. She noted that the modest budget may have contributed to the film's positive reception, suggesting a larger budget might have led to a different outcome. She added that decisions regarding OTT and satellite rights are also still pending. Regarding financing, she explained that three producers, along with co-producers, funded the film, and that various obstacles were resolved one by one, which she attributed to the blessings of Maharaj Ji, noting that all involved are his devotees. Beyond her academic background in Economics, Anupriya is also an artist from a family of art collectors and has held multiple exhibitions. She said she grew up surrounded by works from renowned artists such as Jagdish Swaminathan, MF Husain, Gaitonde, and Raza, which made storytelling a natural part of her upbringing. She said her family is extremely proud of the film's success, recalling that her father was initially skeptical when she told him she wanted to make a film, questioning how she would enter the industry given her Economics background. However, his attitude changed once he learned the film was about Neem Karoli Baba, and he immediately supported her. Anupriya also spoke about meeting Premanand Maharaj after the film's shoot, where she asked him whether making a film for a good cause could be considered seva. She said he responded that it was a positive endeavor but reminded the team of the responsibility that came with the subject matter. He advised them not to dramatize the story, to ensure good casting, and to avoid adding anything unrealistic to the film. As of now, Hanuman Ansh has earned a total of Rs 100.91 crore in its first 30 days.