Monkey Man star Dev Patel recalls Shah Rukh Khan starrer Koyla shaping his identity: “A brutal revenge epic where he’d lost his voice…”

Oscar-nominated actor Dev Patel is buzzing with excitement as he gears up for the Indian premiere of his directorial debut Monkey Man. The film has been released internationally and opened to critically acclaimed reactions. Amidst the whirlwind of promotional activities, Patel recently opened up about his deep admiration for Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, particularly highlighting his film Koyla released in 1997 which left a deep impact on him.

During the promotions of his film, the actor reminisced about Koyla, a mute protagonist in Rakesh Roshan’s directorial. Speaking to Draw Your Box, Patel vividly recalled Khan’s character, complete with fiery red eyes, a distinctive mullet hairstyle, and a powerful presence as he wielded a sword amidst glistening sweat. For Patel, Koyla wasn’t just a film; it was a narrative that resonated deeply with his own identity. He drew parallels between the protagonist’s struggle for revenge, fuelled by his enforced silence from swallowing hot coals, and the challenges he himself has faced.

Dev Patel said, “A brutal revenge epic where he’d lost his voice by being forced to swallow hot coals and it was like, it’s kind of got it all. It’s kind of, you know, like me in a way. My identity is kind of, it’s been formed by all of these influences.”

Patel’s admiration of the Bollywood superstar isn’t new. In a recent promotional activity, he did Reddit AMA where he was asked about his Bollywood favourite movies and his influence in writing and directing Monkey Man. He responded, “Anything Shah Rukh Khan does.”

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.

Packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes, Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The film’s international 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. 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’s release has been delayed in India and it might release on April 26, 2024 instead.

ALSO READ: Dev Patel on casting Sobhita Dhulipala in Monkey Man, “Not only she is breathtakingly beautiful but she carries pain well”

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