Uttarakhand makes Hanuman Ansh tax-free after CM watches film

MUMBAI: When faith meets film, the box office can sometimes find its own divine timing. Hanuman Ansh, a film based on the life and teachings of spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba, has received a boost from the Uttarakhand government, with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announcing that the film will be made tax-free in the state.

Dhami watched Hanuman Ansh at a cinema hall in Dehradun on Friday, accompanied by his wife Geeta Dhami, cabinet ministers Ganesh Joshi and Pradeep Batra, and several MLAs.

The chief minister said the film highlights Uttarakhand’s spiritual and cultural heritage and could help introduce it to audiences in India and abroad.

“Through the film, we had the opportunity to know and understand Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj Ji’s penance, sacrifice, service, and his unwavering faith in Lord Hanuman,” Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X.

Dhami said Neem Karoli Baba’s life was dedicated to service, spiritual practice and the welfare of society. He added that the saint’s teachings present devotion not simply as a religious practice, but as a path centred on service, surrender and human welfare.

He also congratulated the team behind Hanuman Ansh, describing it as an “inspirational and spiritual film”. Dhami highlighted Kainchi Dham as a major centre of faith that attracts devotees from across the world.

Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh follows Lakshminarayan, a young man struggling with the death of his mother.

His grief sends him on a spiritual journey across North India as he searches for answers to questions about life, death and human suffering. Along the way, Lakshminarayan undergoes a transformation and eventually becomes Neem Karoli Baba, whose teachings focused on love, compassion and service.

The film stars Shobhinaw Satya in the lead role, alongside Vihaan Shedge, Chandan K Anand, Purnima Tiwari, Anil Rastogi, Gulshan Pandey and Bhagvandas Patel.

Released in Indian cinemas on August 7, Hanuman Ansh had a relatively quiet start, with modest collections during its first two weeks.

The film subsequently picked up pace through positive word of mouth and has emerged as a surprise performer at the box office. According to Sacnilk, it has earned Rs 97.77 crore in gross collections and Rs 82.88 crore in net collections.

The tax-free status in Uttarakhand could provide the film with another push, while also strengthening its connection with the state and its spiritual tourism landscape.

For Hanuman Ansh, a film that took time to find its audience, the latest move gives its box-office journey another timely blessing.