Cinema’s impact is extending far beyond theatres, with Hanuman Ansh and Cocktail 2 now shaping real world travel choices. One film has intensified interest in a spiritual destination in Uttarakhand, while the other has pushed Italy higher on the holiday wish list of Indian travellers. Their post release footprint shows how strongly screen stories can influence movement on the ground.
Hanuman Ansh Drives The Kainchi Dham Surge
The strongest conversation around Hanuman Ansh is unfolding away from cinema halls. Kainchi Dham near Nainital, the ashram associated with Neem Karoli Baba, has seen a surge in devotees and tourists, with the film widely seen as a major factor behind the renewed interest. The rush picked up sharply around the recent holiday period, bringing with it traffic congestion, pressure on local infrastructure and a steep rise in room tariffs in the surrounding area.
As quoted in a publication, Sanjeev Kumar, General Manager, Naukuchia House, Naukuchiatal, IHCL SeleQtions, said, “The interest around Hanuman Ansh, Neem Karoli Baba and Kainchi Dham has renewed attention on the spiritual landscape of Kumaon. Film-led interest can encourage travellers to look beyond the screen and discover the local culture, faith, food, people and landscape. That is when storytelling becomes meaningful for a destination, when a film sparks curiosity and leads to a more personal journey.”
The situation has also highlighted the downside of sudden destination fame. With visitor pressure mounting, local authorities are now understood to be considering a registration system for devotees on weekends in an effort to manage crowd flow more smoothly.
Cocktail 2 Sends Italy Bookings Higher
While Hanuman Ansh is driving faith based travel, Cocktail 2 has delivered a more aspirational tourism boost. A substantial part of the film unfolds across Italian locations such as Catania, Noto, Siracusa, Castellammare del Golfo, Avola and Milan, and those visuals have clearly struck a chord with audiences.
As quoted in a publication, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, ixigo, said, “Since Cocktail 2 was released, bookings on our site to and from Italy are up 38% YoY.” He further stated, “According to the Great Indian Travel Index report, released last year, YoY bookings on ixigo to cities across the Northeast grew sharply, Dimapur +77%, Agartala +48%, and Guwahati and Imphal +44% each, with shows like The Family Man helping bring these destinations into the spotlight. We are seeing the same internationally. Sicily, featured in The White Lotus, The Odyssey and Cocktail 2, is a great example.”
Two Films, Two Very Different Travel Stories
Together, the two films underline the power of cinema to shape tourism in very different ways. Hanuman Ansh has deepened public interest in a sacred Indian destination, even as local infrastructure faces growing pressure from the sudden rush. Cocktail 2, on the other hand, has used romance, scale and scenic appeal to turn Italian locations into a fresh travel draw for Indian audiences.
Hanuman Ansh has emerged as a sleeper blockbuster, and its cultural reach now appears to be extending well beyond ticket sales. Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, has similarly translated screen appeal into measurable travel interest, showing that for some films, the most visible impact begins after audiences leave the theatre.
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