Social media is buzzing with discussions about Academy Award-nominated actor Dev Patel’s debut directorial venture, “Monkey Man”. The release of the film in India appears uncertain.
As uncertainty hangs over the theatrical release of the Hollywood film “Monkey Man” in India, potentially due to its controversial theme, Indian audiences have found an alternative way to watch the film after it dropped on video-on-demand (VOD) platforms in the US. Following its availability for rent or purchase in North America, pirated versions of “Monkey Man” have surfaced online, and many Indian viewers have already downloaded and watched the action thriller, which premiered in the West earlier this month. Now, social media is buzzing with discussions about Academy Award-nominated actor Dev Patel’s debut directorial venture.
Describing “Monkey Man” as “one of the bravest and best action films of 2024,” a user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Hats off to Dev Patel, who did not compromise his film. This revenge action thriller could have easily avoided the obvious political symbolism, but it didn’t (sic).” Sharing a snippet from the movie, the user added, “Carefully observe this 2-minute clip, and you’ll notice real-life videos of anti-Muslim pogroms and mob lynchings.”
“Monkey Man was a good movie and I liked it a lot, I hope he makes more movies that show that both he and trans women are rad as hell,” mentioned a Twitter user, while another wrote, “MONKEY MAN only got better the longer it went. Once that second half kicked in, it was over. Ruled exponentially.”
“One of the coolest grounded action films I’ve seen in a while. With awesome fight choreography, creative cinematography, a solid story, and a great cast, you won’t want to miss this one in theaters!” commented one person, while another mentioned, “Still thinking about how incredibly well done #MonkeyMan was. Dev Patel’s eye for vision, action, and acting ability, along with the intricate storyline, are top tier. It’s rare for an action film to touch your heart, break it, or have you laughing and cheering during bloody scenes.”
Bankrolled by renowned filmmaker Jordan Peele, among others, the film stars Patel himself in the titular role, alongside Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, and Sobhita Dhulipala. Although the movie premiered in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland on April 5, “Monkey Man” is still awaiting approval from the Central Board of Film Certification in India, without which it cannot be released. According to a tweet on X by Universal, the film will be released in India ‘soon’, although no details have been shared.
In its trailer, the film’s makers revealed that “Monkey Man” is inspired by the legend of Hanuman and boldly addresses political themes. With the country currently experiencing another general election, the prospects of the film’s release in India seem uncertain.