The actor from “The Night Manager” discussed the highly anticipated film during the Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI event.
“This marks my debut in a new industry, Hollywood, which is incredibly thrilling for me,” expressed Dhulipala, aged 31, in an interview with PTI.
“Monkey Man” signifies the directorial debut of Patel, renowned for his roles in the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire,” as well as acclaimed films like “Hotel Mumbai,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” and “The Green Knight.”
Drawing inspiration from the legend of Lord Hanuman, “Monkey Man” unfolds in Mumbai, with Patel portraying Kid, a man driven by vengeance against corrupt leaders responsible for his mother’s murder and the ongoing oppression of the marginalized.
Dhulipala shares the screen with an ensemble of Indian actors, including Sikander Kher, Makarand Deshpande, Pitobash, and Vipin Sharma.
“I may not have a substantial role, but ultimately, being a part of Dev Patel’s vision is a dream come true,” Dhulipala expressed.
The actor, renowned for her roles in the “Made In Heaven” series and acclaimed films such as “Raman Raghav 2.0,” “Major,” and Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan,” shared her exhilarating experience attending the world premiere of the movie at the South By Southwest (SXSW) film festival in Austin, Texas, earlier this week.
Reflecting on the event, Dhulipala remarked, “I just returned from the world premiere in Austin, and it was incredible. The reception was beyond words. I was overwhelmed with goosebumps throughout the experience. The audience’s enthusiasm, cheering, clapping, and screaming created an electrifying atmosphere. It ended with a standing ovation.”
Scheduled for theatrical release on April 5, “Monkey Man” boasts a production team including Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas, Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christine Haebler, and Anjay Nagpal.
Derived from Patel’s original story concept, the screenplay, co-written by Patel, Paul Angunawela, and John Collee, forms the backbone of the film.
Following its premiere at SXSW, “Monkey Man” has garnered widespread acclaim from critics, particularly praising Patel’s performance and the gripping action sequences.
