Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, has been generating significant buzz online since its release internationally last month. However, its release in India remains shrouded in uncertainty. Actor Makarand Deshpande recently revealed that a crucial scene featuring him was edited out of the film. This scene, according to Deshpande, was integral to the movie's core message and its ‘philosophy’.
Deshpande revealed that an important scene featuring him was edited out, leaving him heartbroken as he considered it the "soul of the film." He shared his experience during an interview, stating that Patel himself informed him about the deletion before the US premiere. Patel reportedly apologized and explained that the scene, while a favorite, had to be cut for ‘political reasons’.
Makarand said in an interview with Siddharth Kanan, “For the premiere of Monkey Man, I went to California. Before that, Dev Patel said he wants to have a word with me. He said, ‘That’s the scene I love the most, but we had to edit it for some reason… for some political (reason)… you understand’ and he just mumbled. I kept on looking at him and said, ‘Dev, wasn’t that scene the philosophy of your film?’ He was like, ‘Oh yes, man, but you will still like your role, I am sorry, but you will like it.’”
“When I saw the film, I said no problem. But I know that scene — wog agar rehta toh kya maza aata. It had that punch, an edited scene won’t matter to the audience, but it matters to the actor. In my understanding, it was the rooh (soul) of the film, it may not be for Dev. It is getting a lot of critical acclaim, might (be) in the Oscar race later and is like their Satya,” he added.
After international acclaim at the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2024 film festival, the film's Indian premiere, initially scheduled for April 19, has been delayed due to the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) clearance procedures. While reports suggested a ban wasn't in place, a source close to the production clarified that the CBFC's Examining Committee hadn't even begun reviewing the film.
Monkey Man takes inspiration from the mighty Hanuman, a Hindu deity revered for his immense strength and unwavering devotion. The film stars Patel himself as Kid, a young man trapped in the brutal world of an underground fight club. Disguised by a gorilla mask, Kid endures relentless beatings for a pittance, all while harboring a simmering rage. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the city's elite circles. Fueled by a traumatic past and the enigma of his scarred hands, Kid embarks on a violent quest for retribution against those who inflicted pain upon him.
Monkey Man promises to be a visually stunning action spectacle, packed with exhilarating fight sequences and high-speed chases. Patel's original story is brought to life through a co-written screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The film boasts a diverse international cast alongside Patel. Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Pitobash Tripathy, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher, and the recently disappointed Makarand Deshpande are just a few names gracing the screen.
Monkey Man is a collaborative effort between several production houses. Patel himself serves as a producer alongside Jomon Thomas. Adding star power is Academy Award winner Jordan Peele, who joins forces with established names like Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, and Basil Iwanyk.
Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, and a team of executive producers further bolster the film's production muscle. Monkey Man is presented by Universal Pictures in association with various production companies, including Bron Studios, Thunder Road Films, Monkeypaw Productions, Minor Realm/S'Ya Concept Productions, WME Independent, and Creative Wealth Media.
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More Pages: Monkey Man Box Office Collection
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