'Hanuman Ansh': Who was Neem Karoli Baba, the guru whose teachings influenced Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts

Vishal Chaturvedi's 'Hanuman Ansh' brings the life and spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba to the big screen. The devotional drama is inspired by the life of the spiritual teacher, who was widely known as Maharaj-ji. Vishal Chaturvedi has written and directed the film.Chandan Anand and Shobhinav Satyaa play the lead roles in the movie. The ensemble cast also includes Nikhil Dubey, Udaysinh Rajput, Purnima Tiwari and Mannish Chaudhary. Vishal Chaturvedi, who earlier worked as a doctor, has also penned the screenplay and dialogues.Who was Neem Karoli Baba?Neem Karoli Baba was a Hindu spiritual teacher and devoted follower of Lord Hanuman. He was born as Lakshman Narayan Sharma around 1900 in Akbarpur village in Uttar Pradesh. He passed away on September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan.Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand remains closely associated with his life and teachings. The location became an important spiritual centre for his followers. His influence eventually extended beyond India through devotees who carried his message to other parts of the world.Several extraordinary stories have been associated with Neem Karoli Baba over the years. Many of these accounts were narrated by his followers. His life also did not follow the traditional path expected of a religious teacher.He spent years travelling as a sadhu before eventually returning to family life. Love, compassion, devotion and selfless service formed the foundation of his teachings.Ram Dass introduced his teachings to the WestAs reported by Indian Express, one of Neem Karoli Baba's most prominent followers was American spiritual teacher Ram Dass. Born Richard Alpert, he had worked as a Harvard psychologist before travelling to India.His meeting with Neem Karoli Baba became a major turning point in his life. Ram Dass later documented his spiritual experiences in the book 'Be Here Now'.The book played a significant role in introducing Neem Karoli Baba's teachings to a wider Western audience. It also helped establish the spiritual teacher's influence among readers outside India.Why Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg visited Kainchi DhamNeem Karoli Baba's name has also been associated with some of the world's most prominent technology figures. Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs travelled to India during the 1970s and visited Kainchi Dham.Reportedly, Neem Karoli Baba had already passed away by the time Steve Jobs reached the ashram. However, the journey remained an important experience for Steve Jobs. In a 1985 interview with Playboy, Steve Jobs discussed how his time in India affected his perspective.Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg alsKarolio visited Kainchi Dham. His trip came during a difficult period for Facebook. The visit reportedly helped him reconnect with the company's original purpose.Julia Roberts and her connection with Neem Karoli BabaHollywood actor Julia Roberts has also spoken about her interest in Neem Karoli Baba. Her connection began after she came across his photograph.At that point, Julia Roberts knew very little about the spiritual teacher. Yet she said she felt strongly drawn towards his image. She later spoke about the experience while appearing in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on 'Good Morning America'.Her account further contributed to the growing global interest in Neem Karoli Baba. What is 'Hanuman Ansh' about?'Hanuman Ansh' focuses on the early life and spiritual transformation of Lakshman Das. The character is introduced as a 13-year-old boy from Braj who loses his mother.Following the tragedy, Lakshman leaves his hometown. He begins searching for divine love and a deeper spiritual connection with Lord Rama through devotion to Hanuman.His journey takes him through temples, forests, rivers and villages. As he grows older, Lakshman moves away from material possessions and conventional religious structures. He instead finds spiritual fulfilment through meditation, nature and selfless service.A significant episode in the story involves Lakshman's encounter with a railway train. The incident eventually becomes linked to the creation of the railway station that came to be known as Neem Karori.Through Lakshman Das's journey, 'Hanuman Ansh' attempts to portray the spiritual path that eventually shaped Neem Karoli Baba. The movie received good reviews.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!