Dev Patel's Monkey Man draws in huge collection at the box office even as its India release remains uncertain
Stills from Monkey Man trailer
Indian origin actor Dev Patel's directorial debut titled Monkey Man has generated a lot of buzz ever since the film's first trailer came out. While the film's India release date is unknown, the India-set revenge thriller hada flying start at the box office. The film, released by Universal Pictures, opened in 3,029 North American theatres garnering an estimated $10.1 million on its April 5 release.
Patel's film is modestly budgeted. He directs and stars in a bloody, politically charged action extravaganza. Monkey Man reportedly was made on a budget of $10 million, and the cost was recovered in the first three days of its release.
The film was initially supposed to get a Netflix studio release but the OTT platform left mid-way and eventually, it was picked up by Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions.
About Monkey Man
Monkey Man is inspired by the legend of Hanuman — a Hindu deity revered for his strength, loyalty and courage. Patel says that he saw a lot of parallels between Hindu mythology and the iconography of the superheroes that we know today, like Superman.
The film centres on a character named Kid — played by Patel — who makes a living working in an underground fight club and who later seeks to avenge his mother’s horrific death by infiltrating the elite class of a Mumbai-like city.
Apart from Dev, it stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher and Vipin Sharma in key roles.
Other big players at the box office
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire easily swatted away a pair of challengers to hold on to the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row.
The weekend’s other new wide release, The First Omen, from Disney's 20th Century Studios, struggled to make a big impact with moviegoers. It earned an estimated $8.4 million in ticket sales in 3,375 theatres while collecting an additional $9.1 million overseas. The R-rated horror film, which cost about $30 million, is a prequel to the 1976 Richard Donner-directed original starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick.
(With inputs from agencies)
