Bollywood is apologising now after refusing to back Hanuman Ansh: Producer

Hanuman Ansh co-producer Anupriya Nagar said producers who earlier refused to back the film have now apologised after its box-office success. She said the turnaround has shown the industry what a small film with new talent can achieve.

In Short

• Anupriya Nagar said investors avoided the film during post-production funding rounds
• Industry scepticism centred on the modest budget, debut director and new cast
• The devotional drama was made for under Rs 2 crore

Hanuman Ansh co-producer Anupriya Nagar has revealed that several people in Bollywood initially refused to back the film, but some have since reached out to apologise. The 21-year-old producer said potential investors were hesitant because it was a small-budget film with a first-time director and relatively new actors.

Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Anupriya said the team had approached several people for investment during post-production but struggled to find support.

“Since the beginning, even before I came on board, the Hanuman Ansh team had gone to many people for investment for post-production, but nobody agreed to invest, even though it wasn't a very big investment,” she said.

According to Anupriya, many in the industry did not have much faith in the project.

“Before the release, there were a handful of people who supported us, but many people didn't believe in the project. They thought it was a small-budget film, the director was making his first film and the actors were also new. They thought the film would come and go. People didn't have that belief,” she said.

‘PRODUCERS HAVE REACHED OUT AND APOLOGISED’

Anupriya said the response from the industry changed after Hanuman Ansh began performing well at the box office. Made on a budget of less than Rs 2 crore, the film has since earned Rs 331.70 crore gross in India, according to the figures cited in the report.

She said several producers who had earlier declined to come on board have since contacted her.

“Lots of producers have reached out and it is very sweet. They have congratulated us. Some of them have actually come to me and said, ‘First of all, I apologise because this film had come to us. We are sorry we couldn't join you. That was the biggest mistake I made,’” she recalled.

Anupriya said some industry members also told her that the film had shown what a small production could achieve.

“They said, ‘You have made us realise that a small film can do so much. You have given a lesson to the industry.’ They told us, ‘Whatever you want, we are with you,’” she said.

However, Anupriya added that she did not hold their initial decision against them. “I don't blame them because it was a very small film,” she said.

Hanuman Ansh, directed by Vishal Chaturvedi and starring Shobinaw Satyaa, is inspired by the life of Neem Karoli Baba. The devotional drama explores themes of faith, devotion, compassion and selfless service.

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