The Indian film industry’s shining star, Sobhita Dhulipala, is all set to make remarkable strides across the globe as she steps into Hollywood with the upcoming movie “Monkey Man”. Sharing screen space with the globally acclaimed “Lion” actor Dev Patel, Dhulipala is on cloud nine about her foray into the international cinema scene. The talented actress discussed her Hollywood debut during an event on the fringes of the esteemed Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI.
At the age of 31, Dhulipala finds herself filled with excitement and anticipation as she embarks upon this new journey. She confesses that working in Hollywood brings a fresh set of challenges and thrills, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Directed by none other than Dev Patel, “Monkey Man” is a film that has generated significant buzz within the industry. Patel, revered for his memorable roles in the Academy Award-winning “Slumdog Millionaire” and other noted films like “Hotel Mumbai”, “The Personal History of David Copperfield”, and “The Green Knight”, makes his directorial debut with this ambitious project. Drawing inspiration from the mythological figure of Lord Hanuman, the narrative of “Monkey Man” unravels in the bustling city of Mumbai. The tale spins around Patel’s character, Kid, wielding a passionate thirst for revenge against corrupt moguls whose misdeeds led to the death of his mother. These despots steadily afflict the poverty-stricken and disenfranchised, further fueling Kid’s quest for vengeance.
Dhulipala, whose performance has resonated with audiences through the “Made In Heaven” series and noteworthy films such as “Raman Raghav 2.0”, “Major”, and most recently Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan”, takes up a significant yet not substantial role in “Monkey Man”. Despite the size of the role, she expresses deep gratitude and excitement to be part of Patel’s creative vision. The cast of “Monkey Man” is also graced by the presence of several prominent Indian actors, including Sikander Kher, Makarand Deshpande, Pitobash, and Vipin Sharma, who bring their distinctive flair to the ensemble.
Having just returned from the world premiere at South By Southwest (SXSW) film festival in Austin, Texas, Dhulipala shares her breathtaking experience. The enthusiasm of the audience, marked by applause and a standing ovation, gave her goosebumps and a testament to the movie’s electrifying reception.
Slated for a theatrical release on April 5th, “Monkey Man” benefits from the collective production prowess of Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas, and Hollywood’s own Jordan Peele among others. The inception of this film comes from a story idea nurtured by Patel, transformed into a screenplay with the collaborative genius of Paul Angunawela and John Collee.
Early reviews from critics at SXSW have already set high expectations, lauding Patel’s directorial and acting prowess as well as the impressive action choreography that peppers the film. With such a stellar start on its first public showcase, “Monkey Man” is certainly a film to watch out for, not only for its intriguing storyline and action sequences but also for being the Hollywood stepping stone for India’s Sobhita Dhulipala. As audiences across the world await the release of this action-packed drama, the fusion of Indian talent with international filmmaking creates a bridge between diverse storytelling cultures that promises to capture the hearts of moviegoers globally.
