Fifteen times. That is how many times Girija ji, widely known as Amma ji and the daughter of Neem Karoli Baba, has watched Vishal Chaturvedi's Hanuman Ansh since it hit theaters. And according to producer Ragini Sona, she did not just watch it; she wept through every single frame, every time. It is a detail Sona shared in an interview with SCREEN, painting a picture of a film that has struck a nerve far beyond the usual box office metrics. It's a claim that carries significant weight in the spiritual cinema space, where the approval of the subject's immediate family often dictates the fervor of the audience.
The connection between the production team and Amma ji goes beyond a standard promotional handshake. Sona recounted a pre-release phone call where she and Chaturvedi asked the Baba's daughter if she would be willing to view the project. The response was measured, spiritual, and slightly enigmatic. "Yes, I will watch the film when I feel that the time is right," Amma ji reportedly told them. It was a condition that left the producers waiting, praying perhaps, for that right moment. When that moment arrived, the feedback was immediate and visceral. This isn't just about marketing copy; it's about a specific, emotional reaction from the person closest to the figure the film depicts.
But the story takes a turn that Sona describes as a "miracle" during that same conversation. When asked what inspired the project, Sona casually mentioned her father had been posted in Nainital decades ago. What happened next is where the anecdote shifts from professional to personal. Amma ji allegedly bypassed the generalities of the question and named Sona's father, pinpointing his exact home location in Agra—a detail from 50 years ago. She even named Sona's older brother. "I can't think of a miracle greater than this," Sona said, noting that Chaturvedi was on the call to witness it. For a film centered on a saint known for spiritual interventions, having the saint's daughter validate a supernatural moment during the production's own history is a powerful narrative hook.
Hanuman Ansh, released on August 7, is already a commercial juggernaut, having crossed the ₹300 crore mark worldwide. Shobhinaw Satyaa plays the titular Neem Karoli Baba, supported by Chandan K Anand as Ram Nandan Bhosale. The cast also includes Nikhil Dubey, Anil Rastogi, and Sugandha Malhotra. The film's success is likely fueled by this exact blend of cinematic storytelling and deep-rooted spiritual devotion, a formula that has proven potent in the recent Indian film landscape.
The sheer volume of viewings by Amma ji suggests a level of engagement that is rare even for religious biopics. It signals to the audience that the portrayal resonated on a deeply personal level for the family. As the film continues its run, this anecdote will likely be a talking point in promotional materials, serving as a seal of authenticity for a project that aims to honor a real-life figure with immense spiritual significance.