By The team behind the upcoming film Hanuman Ansh met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his residence on Tuesday and presented him with selected portions of the film. The screening included sequences depicting the spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba and references to the teachings associated with Guru Gorakhnath and the Nath tradition.
The meeting also highlighted the film’s attempt to explore Neem Karoli Baba’s early spiritual journey and his reported association with saints of the Nath sect. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appreciated the filmmakers’ efforts and encouraged the team, according to those present at the meeting.
Film explores Neem Karoli Baba’s spiritual journey
Director and producer Vishal Chaturvedi said the film has been made on a budget of around ₹2 crore and focuses on the journey of Lakshmi Narayan Sharma, who later became widely known as Neem Karoli Baba.
According to Chaturvedi, Neem Karoli Baba left home at a young age following the death of his mother in search of a deeper spiritual path. During this phase of his life, he came into contact with saints associated with the Nath tradition and spent time with them before eventually embracing a life of renunciation.
The filmmaker said this part of Neem Karoli Baba’s life forms an important link to the references from Guru Gorakhnath included in the film. The movie also touches upon accounts surrounding his spiritual experiences, including kundalini awakening, references to Siddhis and episodes associated with his ability to understand or hear the sounds of birds.
Yogi’s spiritual background adds significance to meeting
Chaturvedi said the team specifically chose to show the Chief Minister those portions of the film that deal with India’s civilisational and spiritual traditions, noting Yogi Adityanath’s own association with the saint tradition.
Actor Shobhinav Satya, who plays Neem Karoli Baba in the film, described the interaction with the Chief Minister as a positive experience. He said the team was grateful to have received Yogi Adityanath’s blessings and encouragement.
Filmmakers see Uttar Pradesh as a major shooting destination
The filmmakers also spoke about the opportunities available for film production in Uttar Pradesh. Chaturvedi said that, apart from the upcoming film city in Noida, locations in Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Mathura, Vrindavan, Prayagraj and Agra offer diverse possibilities for filmmakers.
His production house is registered in Uttar Pradesh, while most of the film’s cast comes from North and Central India. Chaturvedi himself is originally from Jhansi and studied in Gorakhpur, while his family is based in Lucknow.
Shobhinav Satya, who portrays Neem Karoli Baba, is also from Lucknow. Purnima Tiwari, who plays his wife in the film, and producer Ragini Sona are likewise from the city.
More UP-based stories planned
Chaturvedi said the production team plans to continue developing films centred on stories and themes connected with Uttar Pradesh. He pointed out that films rooted in regional stories and local dialects from the state are finding audiences beyond North India, including in southern parts of the country.
As part of its future plans, the team intends to conduct talent hunts across different cities in Uttar Pradesh and provide opportunities to theatre artists as well. The broader aim, Chaturvedi said, is to connect performers from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions with film production and create more platforms for local talent.
