The film's soundtrack features songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar.

The 2016 short condenses this into a powerful, emotional 20-minute narrative, emphasizing his determination and sacrifice.

The movie was moderately successful at the box office, grossing approximately ₹15 crores (US$2.1 million) worldwide.

At its core, this is a romance. Radhika Apte delivers a poignant performance as Falguni. It is her memory that fuels Manjhi’s 22-year-long labor, turning a story of manual labor into a poetic saga of eternal love. 3. Gritty Realism

The movie is more than just a biopic; it is a visceral experience of obsession and love. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance is often cited as one of the finest in modern Hindi cinema, capturing Manjhi’s transition from a determined youth to a weathered, elderly man who successfully shortened a 55-kilometer journey to a mere 15 kilometers. The film’s raw aesthetic and powerful dialogue, such as "Bhagwan ke bharose mat baithiye, kya pata bhagwan hamre bharose baitha ho" (Don't sit around waiting for God; maybe God is waiting for us), resonated deeply with audiences across India.