India, Oct. 22 -- T he phenomenal success of Hanuman Ansh, based on the life of spiritual guru Neem Karoli Baba, has put stories of Indian saints in the cinematic spotlight. Directed by Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, the film, reportedly made on a budget of under Rs.2 crore, has crossed Rs.450 crore worldwide since its August 7 release. And Bollywood is taking notice. At least six films are now in various stages of development. From two films on 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas to projects on Sant Haridas, Sant Ravidas and Sai Baba, filmmakers are turning to India's spiritual figures for inspiration. A film on 17th-century Marathi saint Tukaram is also eyeing a theatrical re-release, while projects on Guru Nanak and Sant Kabir are reportedly in the pipeline. A second instalment of the Hanuman Ansh trilogy is also planned. Chaturvedi, who has already announced Rambola, a biopic on Tulsidas, believes the success of Hanuman Ansh has opened doors for a genre that producers were previously hesitant to back. "Genuinely, ek mahaul bana hai! For many years, industry people did not believe that this genre could work. I am sure with more successful films like this they will." Interestingly, filmmaker Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi also announced a film titled Rambola on Dussehra, based on the same poet-saint. The trend extends beyond Tulsidas. Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha director Abhishek Singh, who is working on Raidas Ek Vichar, based on Sant Ravidas, says, "Our cinema takes a leap towards a genre after every decade, and now I see a trend where films on saints will work if made honestly. These are legends of our country about whom not many know about extensively. I have been working on it since 2024, and we will go on floor in May 2027." For The Taj Story (2025), director Tushar Amrish Goel, Hanuman Ansh has given him the confidence to move ahead with his film on Swami Haridas, the saint associated with Vrindavan's Banke Bihari temple: "Now, I have faith this story should be told, and we will begin the shoot in early 2027 in Vrindavan." Meanwhile, Palaash Muchhal's Tere Sai, starring Sanjay Mishra as Sai Baba, is complete and slated for an early 2027 release. Director Aditya Om is planning a February re-release of his 2025 film Sant Tukaram, starring Subodh Bhave, after legal issues affected its theatrical run. However, trade analyst Komal Nahta cautions against treating faith as a box-office formula: "Just because a film on Baba worked does not mean all films in the same genre will succeed. It has to appeal too."...