Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey man, has been creating quite a stir online since its international release last month. However, the release in India remains uncertain. Actor Makarand Deshpande recently revealed that a crucial scene featuring him has been cut from the film. According to Deshpande, this scene was an integral part of the film’s core message and “philosophy”.
Dev Patel cut a scene from ‘Monkey Man’ for ‘political reasons’; apologized to Makarand Deshpande at the US premiere: “I asked, ‘Wasn’t that scene the philosophy of your film?'”
Deshpande revealed that an important scene involving him was cut out, which broke his heart as he considered it to be the “soul of the film”. In an interview, he shared his experience and stated that Patel himself informed him about the deletion before the US premiere. Patel reportedly apologized and explained that while the scene was a favorite, it 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. Earlier, Dev Patel said he wanted to talk to me. He said, “This is 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 looking at him and said, ‘Dev, wasn’t that scene the philosophy of your film?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, man, but you’re still going to like your role, I’m sorry, but you’re going to like it. ‘“
“When I saw the film I said no problem. But I know this scene – wog agar rehta toh kya maza aata. It felt like an edited scene didn’t matter to the audience, but it mattered to the actor. From my understanding it was the Rooh (soul) of the film, maybe not for Dev. It’s getting a lot of critical acclaim, might be later in the Oscar race and is like them Satya,” he added.
After receiving international recognition at the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival, the film’s premiere in India, originally scheduled for April 19, was delayed due to the approval process of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). While there was reportedly no ban, a source close to the production clarified that the CBFC’s screening committee had not even started reviewing the film.
Monkey man draws 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 in a gorilla mask, Kid endures relentless beatings for a pittance while harboring seething anger. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Kid finds a way to break into the city’s elite circles. Driven by a traumatic past and the mystery surrounding his scarred hands, Kid embarks on a violent quest for revenge against those who caused him pain.
Monkey man promises to be a visually stunning action spectacle full of exciting fight sequences and fast-paced chases. Patel’s original story is brought to life through a screenplay co-written with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The film features 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 to be seen on screen.
Monkey man is a collaboration between several production houses. Patel himself serves as a producer alongside Jomon Thomas. Additional star power is provided by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, who joins forces with established names such as Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper and Basil Iwanyk.
Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert and a team of executive producers further strengthen the film’s production power. 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.
ALSO READ: Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man leaked online; Manufacturers remove pirated links within 24 hours
Other pages: Monkey Man Box Office Collection
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