Sobhita Dhulipala reacts to standing ovation at world premiere of her Hollywood debut with Dev Patel directorial Monkey Man: “People were hooting, cheering, clapping and screaming”

The film’s cast includes Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher and Makarand Deshpande.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

March 18, 2024 - 11:49 AM IST

In April 2024, Oscar nominee Dev Patel is preparing for his electrifying debut as a director in the action thriller Monkey Man. The film follows a gripping tale of vengeance, as one man battles corrupt leaders who not only took his mother's life but also perpetuate systemic oppression against the powerless. Joining Patel is Sobhita Dhulipala from Made In Heaven, making her Hollywood debut. Recently, the film premiered at SXSW 2024 to thunderous applause, cheers, and a standing ovation, indicating its undeniable impact on audiences.

Sobhita Dhulipala reacts to standing ovation at world premiere of her Hollywood debut with Dev Patel directorial Monkey Man: “People were hooting, cheering, clapping and screaming”

At the Lakme Fashion Week 2024, an ecstatic Sobhita Dhulipala said that it is a dream to be a part of such a project. “It’s my first time working in a new industry, it’s Hollywood. So that is super exciting for me,” she told PTI.

Sobhita Dhulipala was present at the SXSW 2024 world premiere of the film. “I just came back from the world premiere at Austin. It was amazing, what a beautiful reception. I had goosebumps from the whole experience. People were hooting, cheering, clapping and screaming. There was a standing ovation,” Dhulipala said.

At SXSW, Dev Patel told the crowd that the film was inspired by his love for Bollywood, Korean and Bruce Lee movies. He has been inspired by John Wick films, comedy inspired by Johny Lever and more. He was also inspired by his grandfather who told him stories growing up. “I snuck downstairs when I was a little kid, and I watched Bruce Lee on screen through the bannister in Enter the Dragon. I’d never seen anyone who looked slightly like me before and this guy had the same pigment as me, and from that day on, I fell in love with action movies,” he said.

Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meagre living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The film’s cast includes Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher and Makarand Deshpande.

Monkey Man is produced by Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas, Oscar winner Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christine Haebler and Anjay Nagpal. Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney and Steven Thibault serve as executive producers.

Reportedly, Monkey Man was previously sold to Netflix for $30 million but dropped amid the pandemic. However, Peele saw the movie and the potential and decided to go for a theatrical release.

Universal Pictures presents a Bron Studios production, a Thunder Road film, a Monkeypaw production, and a Minor Realm/S’Ya Concept production, in association with WME Independent and Creative Wealth Media. Monkey Man is set to be released on April 5, 2024.