Hanuman Ansh: Who was Neem Karoli Baba, the spiritual guru who inspired Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg

Hanuman Ansh, a devotional drama inspired by the life of spiritual guru Neem Karoli Baba, has become a sleeper hit in India. Despite its modest budget of Rs 2 crore, the film has surpassed the Rs 50 crore milestone. The movie chronicles the life of Lakshman Das, who later became Neem Karoli Baba, from his childhood to his spiritual awakening in the 20th century.

Lakshman Narayan Sharma, as he was originally named, was born in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh, around 1900. He passed away on September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan. However, his teachings and influence continue to this day. Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand is the place most closely associated with him.

The core of Neem Karoli Baba's teachings focused on love, compassion, devotion, and selfless service. His unique approach to spirituality led him to wander as a sadhu before returning to family life. His influence extended beyond India, with many notable figures, such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Julia Roberts, being inspired by his teachings.

Director Vishal Chaturvedi, faced with the challenge of keeping the film in theaters due to competition from other releases, emphasized that declaring a film a hit or a flop is premature if the theatrical run is not complete. Despite the challenges, the film's popularity continues to grow, with its theatrical run showing no signs of slowing down.