Hanuman Ansh Director Vishal Chaturvedi Recalls Being Rejected By OTT Platform; Says, “It Was Derogatory”

‘Hanuman Ansh’ has emerged as a surprise box office success, collecting Rs 61 crore net in India within 27 days of its theatrical release. However, before the spiritual drama reached audiences, director Vishal Chaturvedi faced rejection while pitching the story of Neem Karoli Baba, popularly known as Maharaj Ji. Looking back, the filmmaker believes that rejection ultimately motivated him to take the story forward. Vishal recently recalled the experience and revealed that he became emotional while narrating the project during an OTT pitch meeting. Scroll down to read the film.

Hanuman Ansh Director Vishal Chaturvedi Recalls OTT Rejection

In an interview with India TV, Vishal opened up about pitching the story to an OTT platform. He shared, “I had gone to pitch my story on an OTT platform, and there they told me that I have an Indian story with international relevance. I narrated Maharaj Ji’s story in such a way that I literally broke down.”

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However, it was not simply the rejection that stayed with him, but the manner in which his project was turned down. Vishal described the language used during the rejection as “derogatory” and said it made him feel that there was a flawed perception surrounding the story. He decided to challenge that narrative through his film.

“Mujhe laga jis tarah unhone reject kiya, jis bhaasha ka prayog kiya, woh thodi derogatory thi. The way they said it, I felt that the narrative in their mind, the way they rejected it, there is a hole in their mind through the narrative. Now it is necessary to bust that narrative,” he said.

Vishal Chaturvedi says rejection is part of a filmmaker’s journey

Vishal also pointed out that rejection is an inevitable part of a filmmaker’s career. According to him, filmmakers regularly pitch stories that may not be accepted, and there is nothing unusual about being turned down. However, he believes that the manner in which feedback is communicated matters. “We are filmmakers, we have been rejected a thousand times. You narrate a story and if you don’t understand it, you say that it is good, but we will do it later,” he said.

Box Office Collection

‘Hanuman Ansh’ had a slow beginning at the box office after releasing in theatres on August 7. The film earned just Rs 10 lakh on its opening day. According to Sacnilk, its first-week collection stood at Rs 1.08 crore, while the second week added another Rs 40 lakh. The film witnessed a significant turnaround in its third week, when its collections jumped to Rs 10.40 crore. Its overall performance has since turned the spiritual drama into an unexpected theatrical success.

About The Film

Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, ‘Hanuman Ansh’ is a spiritual drama based on the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba. Shobhinaw Satyaa plays Neem Karoli Baba, while Vihaan Shedge portrays Maharaj Ji at another stage of the story. The supporting cast includes Chandan Anand, Purnima Tiwari, Anil K Rastogi and Gulshan Pandey. The film has a runtime of two hours and 30 minutes and has received a U certificate.

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Also Read: Hanuman Ansh 2 CONFIRMED! Director Vishal Chaturvedi Announces Sequel After Film Based On Neem Karoli Baba Impresses At Box Office

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.