Anupriya Nagar was pursuing economics in the UK when a university assignment unexpectedly introduced her to the world of Indian cinema.
Now 21, the University of Bath student has become the producer of Hanuman Ansh, a film inspired by the life of Neem Karoli Baba. The movie’s performance at the box office has been equally unexpected.
Released on August 7, the film opened in India with earnings of just Rs 10 lakh. By Day 27, its net domestic collection had climbed to Rs 61.38 crore, while its gross collection reached Rs 72.32 crore, according to Sacnilk figures reported on September 2.
The film was reportedly produced on a budget of around Rs 2 crore, although some reports estimate the cost at approximately Rs 1.8 crore. While the difference between the reported budget and box-office gross is significant, gross theatrical earnings should not be considered the producer’s profit, as the revenue is shared between producers, distributors and exhibitors.
THE UNIVERSITY PROJECT THAT LED TO A FILM
Nagar’s filmmaking journey began with an economics assignment.
As part of a university module focused on investment and banking, she studied Steve Jobs as a businessman and thinker. During her research, she came across Jobs’ well-known association with Neem Karoli Baba and his trip to India.
The connection prompted Nagar to explore the spiritual leader’s life and influence in greater depth.
Her team spent nearly a year researching the subject, travelling to places linked to Neem Karoli Baba and meeting people who had known him or spent time with him. Chitrakoot and Vrindavan were among the places they visited during the process.
Nagar has said she hoped to present the story to younger viewers as well as audiences outside India.
Her entry into filmmaking was therefore far from conventional. She did not come through a film school or follow the traditional Bollywood route. Instead, a university research project eventually became the foundation for a feature film.
A FILM THAT FOUND ITS AUDIENCE LATE
Hanuman Ansh gave little indication of becoming a major box-office performer during its opening weeks.
The film collected around Rs 1.08 crore in its first week, followed by just Rs 40 lakh in the second week. Its fortunes then changed dramatically.
The third week brought in approximately Rs 10.40 crore, while the film crossed the Rs 2 crore mark in a single day on Day 17, according to Sacnilk.
Its fourth week proved even more impressive. The film earned Rs 6.25 crore on Day 22, Rs 9.25 crore on Day 23 and Rs 12.75 crore on Day 24.
It subsequently added Rs 5.50 crore on Day 25, Rs 8.50 crore on Day 26 and Rs 7.25 crore net on Day 27.
With those earnings, the film’s India net collection reached Rs 61.38 crore, while its gross collection stood at Rs 72.32 crore.
WHO IS ANUPRIYA NAGAR?
Nagar studied economics at the University of Bath and identifies herself on social media as an economist, artist and film producer.
Her connection with art began at a young age. She started displaying her artwork at the age of 12 and later participated in student art, dance and business societies during her university years.
Hanuman Ansh was produced under Swambhu Media Network. Publicly available credits name Nagar, Ragini S, Namrata G Singh and director Vishal Chaturvedi as the film’s producers.
For someone in her early 20s, the performance of her debut feature is notable. Yet the most unconventional aspect of Nagar’s journey may be its origin—not a film set, production studio or traditional filmmaking background, but an economics student researching Steve Jobs for a university assignment.
