Manish Chaudhary Reveals How Hanuman Ansh Changed His Life: ‘My Life Has Taken a Complete U-Turn’

Manish Chaudhary’s experience of playing Neem Karoli Baba’s father in Hanuman Ansh appears to have gone far beyond the boundaries of a film set. The actor recently opened up about the profound impact the role has had on his personal life, revealing that the film changed several of his everyday habits and made him look at himself differently. Speaking about whether he felt the responsibility of portraying the father of such a revered spiritual figure, Manish said, “You know, Ma'am, my life has taken a complete U-turn after this film. There has been such a massive change—for instance, I used to eat non-vegetarian food, but I’ve stopped that. I used to drink occasionally, but I’ve given that up too; I don’t even eat eggs anymore. I never smoked to begin with. I am trying to become a bit more at ease, a bit more gentle, humble, and polite.”

The actor went on to explain that the responsibility became even more real when he stepped outside the film set and met audiences. “Actually, when the film is running and I go to surprise audiences, the response is wonderful, but it also carries a heavy sense of responsibility. When I go there, people see me as 'Baba's father' and touch my feet; it feels so profound—it makes me realize just how significant and responsible this role is,” Manish shared. His words highlight how dramatically the audience’s response blurred the line between the character he portrayed and the spiritual reverence associated with Neem Karoli Baba.

Interestingly, Manish revealed that when he initially signed the film, he knew virtually nothing about Neem Karoli Baba. Asked what he knew about Baba before beginning the journey, the actor admitted, “No, When I took on the film—even on the day I was cast—I didn't realize anything at all. In fact, I only found out after I had already shot the scenes. It was Shobhinav—who plays Baba—and Gopal—who plays the attendant living with Baba—who explained it to me; I have scenes with both of them. It was while filming those scenes that they enlightened me. Before that, I didn't follow Baba.” Manish said it was only after working on the film and witnessing the response following its release that he truly understood who Neem Karoli Baba was and the significance people attach to his blessings.

That discovery eventually became something much deeper for the actor. Manish continued, “But after doing the film and seeing the acclaim it received upon release, I finally realized who Baba Neem Karoli was and the immense power held in his blessings.” However, despite the personal changes the experience brought about, Manish is clear that portraying a spiritual character does not mean an actor has to permanently become that character. Speaking about whether the experience changed his approach to acting, he explained, “Well, it certainly carries a sense of responsibility, Ma'am. Look, I am an actor; acting is my profession. It’s not as if, once you’ve played a character, you have to live in that persona for the rest of your life—you can't do that. At most, you might bring changes to your own behavior or daily habits. But regarding the craft of acting itself, you don't necessarily have to change who you are; the more you learn, the better.”

Manish also reflected on the performance itself, stressing that he gave the role everything he had while accepting that every actor brings something different to a character. “After playing Baba's character, I didn't feel there was a specific need to alter my acting approach. I gave my absolute best for those scenes. Perhaps another actor might have done better or worse in my place, but I gave it my all,” he said. He further explained, “And if I were to say that after playing this 'Baba-ji' character, I would maintain that 'Baba' persona for the rest of my life—well, that simply isn't possible. I am an actor; I have to keep changing and bringing about transformations.” Hanuman Ansh, written, directed and produced by Vishal Chaturvedi under Swambhu Media Network, is the first instalment of a planned trilogy based on Chaturvedi’s book Divine Detour: That Changed My Life, inspired by the life of Neem Karoli Baba. Released theatrically on August 7, 2026, the film stars Shobhinaw Satyaa and Chandan Anand in lead roles, with Manish Chaudhary among the ensemble cast, and follows the early journey of Lakshmi Narayan before his transformation into Neem Karoli Baba. Despite a modest opening, the film reportedly gained momentum through word of mouth and emerged as a sleeper hit, making Manish’s deeply personal reflections on the film’s impact all the more striking.