Hanuman Ansh Won’t Go on OTT Anytime Soon
OTT platforms were dismissive about this film earlier, offered a low price, and now after it’s blockbuster performance, the filmamkers have an upper hand in the negotiations
The spiritual blockbuster Hanuman Ansh was initially rejected by a major global OTT platform during its pitching stage, with director Vishal Chaturvedi describing the platform’s response and language as derogatory and dismissive of authentic saint narratives. Chaturvedi approached streaming executives with the story of Neem Karoli Baba, noting that the narrative held deep Indian roots with international relevance. Executives turned down the project under the belief that mainstream audiences preferred gritty crime dramas or stories exposing corrupt godmen rather than tales focusing on genuine spiritual figures.
Chaturvedi said the industry’s dismissive attitude towards traditional civilisational stories strengthened his resolve to release the film independently on a tight budget.
Released on August 7, 2026, it opened on limited screens with around 10 lakh on day one. Driven by organic audience support, screen counts expanded, and collections exploded past major box office benchmarks, grossing over Rs 300 crore globally.
Following its massive theatrical success, multiple streaming platforms that previously passed on the project have circled back to bid for its digital rights.
While the standard theatrical-to-OTT window is eight weeks, the makers are delaying the digital release to sustain its theatrical run, especially with the Telugu-dubbed version hitting cinemas next week.
Co-producer Ragini Sona dismissed viral reports of a `100 crore deal, saying the makers are still finalising a streaming partner and expect a significantly higher price. Major streaming platforms are moving away from record-breaking pre-release deals based solely on star power, with OTT valuations increasingly tied to theatrical performance. Toxic, for instance, reportedly saw its projected digital value fall from Rs 150–200 crore to around Rs 30 crore after underperforming. But for a blockbuster like Hanuman Ansh, the equation changes, giving producers greater leverage in negotiating digital rights.