Meet Anupriya Nagar: The 21-Year-Old Girl Behind Hanuman Ansh's ₹200 Crore Box Office Miracle
The Story of 21-Year-Old Producer Anupriya Nagar
Imagine you are 21 years old. You have just finished your studies in a foreign country. You have a good job waiting for you in Switzerland. Your life is set. Everything is planned.
Now imagine you give up all of that. You take every single rupee you have saved from working part-time jobs for three years. And you put it all into a film. A film about a saint. A film with no big stars. A film that everyone said would fail.
This is the true story of Anupriya Nagar.
She is the young woman behind 'Hanuman Ansh' , the film that started with just ₹10 lakh on day one and went on to earn over ₹200 crore worldwide. Her story is not just about a film becoming a hit. It is about faith, courage, and a young girl's unbelievable journey from a college assignment to the red carpet.
Let us tell you everything about her, in simple words, from the very beginning.
Who is Anupriya Nagar?
Anupriya Nagar is a 21-year-old woman from Mumbai. She is an Economics graduate from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. She studied there for three years and graduated in 2025.
But she is not just a student. She is also an artist and comes from a family of art collectors. She grew up surrounded by paintings and artists. Her family collected works by famous Indian painters like M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and V.S. Gaitonde. Anupriya herself had also held her own art exhibitions.
She describes herself on social media as an "economist, artist, and film producer".
She had a completely different plan for her life. She was going to move to Switzerland for a job in the art industry. She had already secured a good job there. Film producing was not in her plan at all.
But life had something else in store for her.
How Steve Jobs Changed Her Life
This is the most interesting part of her story. Anupriya's journey into films began in a college classroom, far away from India.
In her final year at the University of Bath, Anupriya was working on a research project. She was studying how big technology companies like Apple and Meta were built. She wanted to know where their founders got their ideas from.
While researching, she came across a surprising fact. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was deeply influenced by an Indian saint named Neem Karoli Baba. Steve Jobs had even visited Kainchi Dham in India, and it was there that he got the idea for the world's first colour computer.
This discovery hit Anupriya hard. She was shocked.
She said to herself, "Why am I learning about an Indian saint from a foreigner? Why don't I know about him from his own story?".
This question changed everything.
She started researching Neem Karoli Baba deeply. She read about his life, his teachings, and his followers. She felt a strong connection to him. At first, she thought about writing a book or making a comic book about him. She was only about 20 years old at that time.
But then, she returned to India in 2025. And her life took a completely unexpected turn.
The Chance Meeting That Changed Everything
After returning to India, Anupriya met a filmmaker named Vishal Chaturvedi. He was already working on a film about Neem Karoli Baba.
Anupriya joined the project. She did not join as a director or a writer. She joined as a producer.
Now, you might be wondering what a producer does. A producer is the person who arranges the money to make the film happen. Without a producer, a film cannot be made.
But Anupriya did not join the film at the beginning. She joined after the shooting was already complete. The film was made, but it needed money to be finished and released.
She was brought in to help with post-production work. This includes editing, music, and getting the film ready for theatres.
The Brave Decision to Invest Everything
This is where Anupriya's story becomes truly inspiring.
The film needed money. The total budget of 'Hanuman Ansh' was around ₹1.8 crore. The film had three women producers. Each one contributed one-third of the total investment.
Anupriya was the youngest of the three. The other two producers were Ragini Sona and Namrata G. Singh. They came from three different generations of women.
Anupriya contributed ₹60 lakh to the film. But where did a 21-year-old student get ₹60 lakh from?
She had earned it herself.
During her three years of studying in the UK, Anupriya worked multiple part-time jobs. She saved every penny. It was her life savings.
When she decided to invest in the film, she did not think about the risk. She said:
"I earned this money in the three years that I studied in the UK, doing part-time jobs. When I came across Maharaj ji at a beautiful juncture of my life, I just wanted to get into this project. I didn't know what I could contribute because I had not done filmmaking, but I was ready to give my heart and soul to it."
She gave everything she had.
Why did she do it? She said that the idea came from Neem Karoli Baba himself.
"Maharaj Ji said, 'You have worked part-time in the UK for so many years. Why don't you dedicate yourself completely to your devotion through this film?' I invested without giving it much thought."
This is what makes Anupriya so special. She did not invest for money. She invested for devotion.
The Family's Worry and Her Father's Support
When Anupriya told her family about her decision, they were worried. Her father, in particular, was very protective.
He told her:
"You don't know much about filmmaking and you know how the industry is. You're so young."
He was right to be worried. The film industry is tough. Many people lose everything trying to make films. And Anupriya was putting in all her savings.
But Anupriya did not give up. She explained to her father that she was making a film about a noble saint. She told him the story of Neem Karoli Baba. And her father understood.
She said:
"When I told him I was making a film on a noble saint and narrated the story, he was fine. They've been with me through thick and thin. In fact, I think they do more publicity for the film than I do!"
This shows the love and trust in her family. They supported her dream, even when it seemed risky.
The Film 'Hanuman Ansh' – A Simple Story of a Great Saint
So, what is 'Hanuman Ansh' about? Let us tell you.
'Hanuman Ansh' is a Hindi film about the life of Neem Karoli Baba. He is also known as Maharaj-ji. He was a great Indian saint who lived in the 20th century. His teachings were simple: "Love all, serve all, say Ram."
Neem Karoli Baba had many famous followers. Steve Jobs (Apple founder) was influenced by him. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) and Krishna Das (a famous singer) also followed him.
The film tells the story of his early life and his spiritual journey. It was directed by Vishal Chaturvedi and made under the Swambhu Media Network banner.
The lead actors in the film are Shobhinaw Satyaa and Vihaan Shedge. Other actors include Chandan Anand, Gulshan Pandey, Anil Rastogi, and Purnima Tiwari.
The film was released in theatres on August 7, 2026.
The Box Office Journey – From ₹10 Lakh to ₹200 Crore
The box office journey of 'Hanuman Ansh' is nothing short of a miracle.
On the first day, the film earned only ₹10 lakh. The first week total was just ₹1.08 crore. By the second week, the film had earned only ₹1.48 crore. Trade experts had declared it a flop.
But then, something magical happened.
The film started to get word of mouth. People who watched it told their friends and family. They shared their experiences on social media. Devotees of Neem Karoli Baba started supporting the film.
In the third week, the film jumped to ₹10.40 crore. In the fourth weekend, it collected around ₹28.25 crore. On the fourth Sunday alone, the film earned ₹12.75 crore in a single day. This single day collection was more than what the film had earned in its entire first three weeks.
The film kept growing. It expanded from just 30 screens on day 8 to over 1,500 screens. It is now being released internationally.
By mid-September 2026, the film had crossed ₹200 crore worldwide and the ₹291 crore mark overall.
Anupriya, who invested just ₹60 lakh, became part of one of the biggest success stories of Indian cinema.
Beating the Big Boys – How 'Hanuman Ansh' Beat 'Toxic'
The most amazing part of this success story is how 'Hanuman Ansh' beat a big-budget film called 'Toxic'.
'Toxic' starred Yash, one of the biggest stars in India. It was made on a massive budget. It opened on 24,579 shows across India. It earned ₹101 crore on day one.
'Hanuman Ansh' had no big stars. It had a tiny budget. It started with limited shows.
But by day 25, 'Hanuman Ansh' collected ₹5.50 crore in Hindi, while 'Toxic' collected only ₹4.40 crore.
By day 26, 'Hanuman Ansh' jumped to ₹8.50 crore, surpassing 'Toxic' completely.
This is a classic David vs Goliath story. A small film made by a 21-year-old girl beat a mega-budget film with the biggest star in the country.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called it "a huge success story, a game changer, and a case study for the film industry."
The Sequel – Anupriya's Promise to the Audience
The film ends with a promise of a sequel. And Anupriya has confirmed that it is happening.
She said:
"We are not going to dishearten our viewers. Maharaj ji has given us so much in abundance regarding the box office, so we don't have a choice but to make this."
She also said that she wants the sequel to keep the simplicity of the first film.
"Our film was supposed to be made in ₹2 crore. If we had made the same film in ₹10 crore, it wouldn't have come out this way. The rawness and simplicity came from the low budget, and we will definitely keep that in mind."
Anupriya understands that the film's magic came from its simplicity. She does not want to lose that in the sequel.
The Ramayani Samman – A Well-Deserved Honour
After the success of the film, Anupriya was honoured with the Ramayani Samman in Vrindavan on September 9, 2026.
The award was given by the Ramayani Research Council. Prominent saints of Braj honoured her and wished her for her bright future.
At the ceremony, Anupriya attributed the success of 'Hanuman Ansh' to the blessings of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj. She said that the way the film made with limited resources has received love from the audience is no less than a blessing for her.
Anupriya reached Vrindavan with her family to receive the honour and also had darshan of Sant Premanand Maharaj.
Her Inspiration – Sant Premanand Maharaj
Anupriya has revealed that she got the inspiration to enter the film world from Sant Premanand Maharaj. His guidance and blessings gave her the confidence to move forward in this field.
When asked if she would make a film on the life of Sant Premanand Maharaj, Anupriya said:
"If I get the blessings of Maharaj, I will try to bring his life and spiritual journey on the big screen."
She also said that in the future, her efforts will be to convey Indian culture, Sanatan tradition, and religious subjects to the people through cinema.
Before making 'Hanuman Ansh', Anupriya had sought guidance from Premanand Maharaj on how to portray Neem Karoli Baba on screen. During their interaction, Premanand Maharaj warned her:
"Don't distort Neem Karoli Baba's life for fame. Otherwise, it will be a crime."
This shows how seriously Anupriya took her responsibility. She did not make this film for money or fame. She made it with respect and devotion.
What Makes Anupriya Nagar So Special?
There are many things that make Anupriya Nagar stand out from the crowd.
1. She is fearless.
She invested all her savings into a film, even when she had no experience. She did not let fear stop her.
2. She is humble.
She says, "I am just 21, I don't even know what I will do with so much money." She never made the film for money. She made it for devotion.
3. She is focused.
Her only goal was to bring Neem Karoli Baba's story to young people. She said, "My only focus was to bring Maharaj ji's stories to the younger audience, to Gen Z. We get to know about such things through foreigners. I myself got to know about him through a foreigner and, being the youth of India, I was ashamed that I was not getting to know about him through his own story."
4. She respects the culture.
She sought blessings from saints before making the film. She was careful not to distort the saint's life for commercial gain.
5. She believes age is just a number.
She said, "I feel like age is just a number." She did not let her age stop her from achieving something big.
What's Next for Anupriya Nagar?
Anupriya has big plans for the future.
She has confirmed that a sequel to 'Hanuman Ansh' is happening. She wants to continue telling stories about Indian saints and spiritual figures.
She has also expressed interest in making a film on Sant Premanand Maharaj, if she gets his blessings.
She wants to continue making films that celebrate Indian culture and Sanatan tradition. She believes cinema is a powerful medium to share these stories with the world.
And she is just getting started.
A Story of Faith, Courage, and Miracles
The story of Anupriya Nagar is not just a success story. It is a story of faith.
She had faith in Neem Karoli Baba. She had faith in the film. And most importantly, she had faith in herself.
She took a risk that most people would never take. She put everything on the line for a story she believed in. And the universe rewarded her.
Her film started with ₹10 lakh. Today, it has earned over ₹200 crore. She invested ₹60 lakh of her hard-earned savings. Today, she is one of the most talked-about producers in India.
But for Anupriya, the real success is not the money. The real success is that people are learning about Neem Karoli Baba. The real success is that young people are connecting with his teachings. The real success is that his story is being told.
As she says:
"My box office is people knowing about Maharaj ji."
That is the heart of this story. A 21-year-old girl did not just make a film. She shared a message of love, service, and devotion with millions of people.
And that is the true miracle of Anupriya Nagar.
Jai Shri Ram! 🙏