Dev Patel's directorial debut Monkey Man premiered at the SXSW film festival to a standing ovation from the Austin crowd. Patel stars in the film that follows an underground Mumbai fighter seeking vengeance against the corrupt elites responsible for his mother's murder. Drawing comparisons to John Wick, the film is inspired by the legend of Hanuman and influenced by The Raid and classic Bruce Lee movies.
Originally planned as a co-writing project, Patel was encouraged by director Neil Blomkamp to take the directorial reins due to his deep understanding of the story. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the production persevered. Stuntmen were recruited from YouTube, and crew members doubled as extras to keep the project afloat.
Cinematographer Sharone Meir had to improvise due to faulty equipment, even filming certain scenes on Patel's personal cell phone. The production was not without physical tolls, as Patel broke toes, tore his shoulder, and suffered an eye infection during filming. Notably, he continued shooting with a broken hand, undergoing surgery and returning to set to complete the film.
After a challenging post-production phase, Monkey Man secured distribution with Universal for a theatrical release, thanks to filmmaker Jordan Peele's endorsement. Peele was impressed by Patel's dedication to the project and believed it deserved a wider audience. The film is set to hit theaters on April 5, offering audiences a glimpse into Patel's passion and perseverance in bringing Monkey Man to life.
