From Train Compartments to Cinema Halls: Sunil Lodhi’s Incredible Journey to Hanuman Ansh

A visually impaired folk singer from Bundelkhand found an unexpected Bollywood breakthrough after his soulful Hanuman bhajan caught the internet’s attention.

Not every Bollywood story begins with a film audition, a famous surname or a Mumbai studio.

Some begin much closer to the ground — with a singer travelling from place to place, performing wherever people are willing to listen.

For Sunil Lodhi, music was never simply about chasing fame. It was a way of life and, for years, a means of earning a living. The visually impaired singer from Bundelkhand spent much of his early journey performing traditional Bundeli folk songs and devotional bhajans, often with his tambura by his side.

Today, his voice has travelled far beyond those humble beginnings, finding a place in the devotional film Hanuman Ansh.

The Bhajan That Changed Everything

Lodhi’s life began taking an unexpected turn when his rendition of the Hanuman bhajan “O More Sankat Ke Kataiya Hanuman” started gaining attention on social media.

What may have begun as another heartfelt performance soon reached listeners outside Bundelkhand. His earthy voice and traditional singing style connected with audiences in a way that polished studio productions sometimes struggle to achieve.

And then came the call that could change an artist’s life.

Music producer Pankaj VRK reportedly traced Lodhi after hearing his viral performance and invited him to Mumbai. Lodhi went on to record multiple songs at Sai Baba Studio.

One of those recordings, “Maine Tere Hi Bharose,” eventually became part of Hanuman Ansh.

For a singer who had spent years performing in intimate spaces and train compartments, stepping into a professional recording studio was already a major milestone. Seeing his voice become part of a theatrical film took that journey several steps further.

From Train Compartments to the Big Screen

There is something deeply moving about Lodhi’s story.

Long before his voice reached movie audiences, he was reportedly singing in trains as part of his livelihood. The same voice that once travelled through crowded compartments is now reaching people through cinema speakers.

The distance between those two worlds is enormous.

But perhaps what makes the story special is that Lodhi did not suddenly become a singer when Bollywood noticed him. He had already been doing the work for years. The internet simply gave his talent a larger audience, while Hanuman Ansh gave that voice a much bigger stage.

His journey is a reminder that recognition can arrive late — but that does not make the years of struggle any less valuable.

A Voice Rooted in Faith

“Maine Tere Hi Bharose” carries the devotional spirit at the heart of Hanuman Ansh. Its message revolves around surrender, faith and placing one’s trust in Lord Hanuman.

Rather than completely reinventing the song with a heavily modern sound, its folk character allows Lodhi’s natural singing style to remain an important part of the experience.

And that authenticity matters.

His voice brings with it the texture of the places where he learned and performed music — something that cannot simply be created inside a recording studio.

Hanuman Ansh Takes the Journey Global

Lodhi’s Bollywood journey is also arriving at a time when Hanuman Ansh itself is expanding beyond India.

With Hombale Films taking up international distribution, the film is set to reach audiences across global markets. The production house announced that the spiritual story would be released internationally, taking its devotional journey to viewers outside the country.

For Lodhi, that means the voice that once depended on passing listeners in train compartments could now potentially be heard by audiences thousands of kilometres away.

That is quite a journey.

More Than Just a Bollywood Breakthrough

Sunil Lodhi’s story isn’t simply about a folk singer getting a song in a movie.

It is about persistence.

It is about continuing to sing when there is no guarantee that someone important is listening. It is about turning a skill into a livelihood and holding onto that skill long enough for the world to finally notice.

From Bundelkhand to Mumbai, from train compartments to recording studios and now from cinema halls towards international audiences, Lodhi’s journey has taken an extraordinary route.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of it.

Sometimes the biggest stage is not where the journey begins. It is simply where the world finally gets to hear the voice that was already there.