Dev Patel Returns to His Indian Roots with His Directorial Debut "Monkey Man"

Dev Patel may not be a household name for everyone, but his face is certainly familiar. In 2008, he starred in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" as a young man coming of age and striving for a better life. His natural performance was deeply memorable, and landing the lead role in his first film, which garnered global recognition and numerous awards, was no easy feat.

Sixteen years and several films later, Patel has transformed into a multifaceted filmmaker, debuting his first self-written and directed film, "Monkey Man" (2024), where he also stars as the protagonist, Kid. Driven by a desire for vengeance against religious and political leaders who murdered his mother, Kid embarks on a relentless quest reminiscent of John Wick.

Nearly Abandoned by Netflix, Saved by Jordan Peele

"Monkey Man" draws inspiration from Patel's love for action genres, including Bruce Lee's martial arts films, Indian and Korean revenge movies, and the 2011 Indonesian hit "The Raid." The film premiered to highly positive reviews at last year's South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, and the production company quickly sold it to Netflix, considering it a good deal at the time.

However, Netflix soon had second thoughts, fearing the film's political and religious content might offend Indian audiences. Enter Jordan Peele, who, recognizing its potential, quickly had his production company, Monkeypaw Productions, take over:

"This is a rare film where an actor takes on the challenge of directing an action movie for the first time. You can imagine how demanding and difficult that is. Like 'Dances with Wolves' (1990) and 'Braveheart' (1995), each viewing left me wondering, 'How did they do it?' 'Monkey Man' is one of those films that harks back to when people dared to make such movies." With Peele's backing, Universal Pictures became the global distributor, allowing audiences to experience it on the big screen.

Creating an Action Film That Explores Faith and Culture

The movie draws inspiration from the legend of Hanuman, the monkey deity symbolizing strength and courage while warning against the abuse of power. Patel's grandfather first told him Hanuman's tales, embedding in Patel's desire to weave his cultural heritage into his storytelling.

Initially, Patel sought Neill Blomkamp, director of "Chappie" (2015), to helm the project but was encouraged to direct it himself. Over six years of development and filming, Patel faced numerous challenges. The first action scene resulted in a broken hand, followed by injuries to his ribs and toes. Financial constraints often led to iPhone use for additional shots, and the pandemic nearly halted production. These behind-the-scenes trials matched the on-screen struggles, making the standing ovation at SXSW all the more rewarding for Patel.

Despite being his first directorial effort, Patel's ambition is clear. He aims to innovate within the action genre, crafting a film that is not merely about gratuitous violence but about the consequences and perils of such brutality. To this end, he collaborated with the writer from "Hotel Mumbai" (2018) to ensure the story had a solid foundation and emotional depth.

Rediscovering Himself Through "Monkey Man"

Post-"Slumdog Millionaire," Patel showcased his versatility in various films: the earnest yet clumsy hotel manager in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2011), a nerdy engineer in the sci-fi film "Chappie," and poignant roles in biographical films like "The Man Who Knew Infinity" (2015) and "Lion" (2016), the latter earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA win. His last significant role was in David Lowery's 2021 film "The Green Knight."

As an actor of Indian descent, Patel often faced typecasting frustrations but now embraces his heritage with pride. He describes "Monkey Man" as a tribute to the underdogs who try and fail but keep trying again.

The film's raw portrayal of society is striking: cars speeding past sleeping children and their families on the streets, young women falling victim to sex trafficking, the deep-rooted corruption and unrest within India's caste system, and religion manipulated to ignite wars. In reality, characters representing marginalized and discriminated groups become symbols of resilience in the film.

"Monkey Man" Debuts Strongly in North America

"Monkey Man" has officially premiered in North America, earning over $30 million in its first week despite limited promotion by Patel himself. The passion in every frame of "Monkey Man" suggests that Dev Patel is an emerging force in the directorial world.