Are Hanuman Ansh and Obsession Proving Ayushmann Khurrana Right About Small-Budget Films? Here’s What He Said About Udta Teer

Ayushmann Khurrana has shared a strong message about the future of theatrical cinema while praising the success of two very different small-budget films, Hanuman Ansh and Obsession. Speaking at FICCI Frames in Mumbai during the session Cinema at Crossroads, Ayushmann said filmmakers need to make more budget-friendly movies that connect with audiences. He pointed to Hanuman Ansh and the Hollywood horror film Obsession as examples from completely different worlds that have managed to attract viewers. His comments come at a time when big-budget releases often dominate the theatrical conversation. According to Ayushmann, the success of smaller films shows that audiences can still support fresh stories.

Hanuman Ansh has become the biggest example behind Ayushmann's argument. Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, the film is based on the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and was reportedly made on a budget of around ₹2 crore which started with only ₹10 lakh on its opening day and earned around ₹1.48 crore in its first two weeks. The film then found a major audience through positive word of mouth and continued playing successfully for several weeks. It completed 50 days in theatres and crossed the ₹300 crore mark in India. The dramatic turnaround has made Hanuman Ansh one of the year's most unexpected box-office stories.

Ayushmann also mentioned Obsession as another example of what smaller films can achieve. Directed by first-time filmmaker Curry Barker, the horror film was made for a reported budget of around $700,000 and went on to become a major theatrical success. The film follows Bear, played by Michael Johnston, who uses a mysterious object called the One Wish Willow to make his crush Nikki fall in love with him. The wish soon turns into something disturbing. Along with its horror elements, Obsession has also sparked discussion around male entitlement and consent. For Ayushmann, its success alongside Hanuman Ansh shows that films from very different genres can connect when they offer something audiences want to watch.

Ayushmann has also maintained that the story should be bigger than the actor. He said he has believed this from the beginning of his career and feels that authenticity can be a stronger theatrical draw than simply putting a major star at the centre of a film. He cited his upcoming spy comedy Udta Teer as a project that takes him back towards the kind of authentic and unusual storytelling he wants to explore. Ayushmann described the film as a return to his core genre and said he is excited about it. His comments suggest he sees Udta Teer as part of the same larger belief that strong stories can create audience interest.

The discussion comes at a time when the theatrical business is changing quickly and audiences have more entertainment choices than ever. Ayushmann's argument is that filmmakers should respond by focusing on authentic subjects, controlled budgets and stories that connect with people rather than depending entirely on star power. The success of Hanuman Ansh is especially striking because it went from a ₹10 lakh opening to a film that crossed ₹300 crore in India after positive word of mouth transformed its box-office journey. Obsession offers a different international example of the same idea. Whether this becomes a wider trend will depend on future releases, but Ayushmann clearly believes there is room for more small-budget films to take big risks.