Richa Chadha questions if 2026 is a true milestone for content-driven films

Actor Richa Chadha believes it is too early to call 2026 a landmark year for content-driven cinema in India, despite the massive box-office success of Vishal Chaturvedi's devotional drama Hanuman Ansh. While the film has crossed ₹ 423 crore worldwide as of October 5 according to Sacnilk, Richa argues that religious and mythological subjects draw audiences because they are safe for everyone to watch, rather than indicating a broader shift in viewer preferences.

Box Office And Sequels

Made on a budget of about ₹ 2 crore, Hanuman Ansh started with a quiet response before growing through strong word of mouth to cross ₹ 300 crore in India and ₹ 400 crore globally within eight weeks. Even competing with big releases like The Paradise, The Vvaan - Force of the Forest, and Drishyam 3, the movie kept steady collections. Producer Anupriya Nagar announced a sequel, stating the budget will stay below ₹ 20 crore to avoid unnecessary visual effects. SonyLIV also announced a series about Neem Karoli Baba, though details on the cast and release date remain unannounced.

New Projects

Richa and her husband Ali Fazal are meanwhile promoting their new eight-episode travel series titled Musafiri. Produced under their banner Pushing Buttons Studios and hosted by Richa, the project streams on their YouTube channel Phull Stop and draws from Richa's new perspective on her home city after becoming a mother.

Context

Religious and devotional dramas often enjoy wide family audiences in India because they appeal to universal cultural traditions. Industry experts often debate whether such blockbusters signal a lasting change in movie trends or remain unique successes driven by specific themes.